March 4 2022

A consultation has into plans to redevelop the derelict Shawbridge Arcade on Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, to provide 71 apartments has been launched.

The Wheatley Group with Coltart Earley Architecture proposes to demolish the 1970s arcade to erect eight new-build blocks of up to five storeys, including office space for Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), opposite the recently completed Ashtree Road.

In a consultation statement, the architects said: "The design looks to create a new sense of place to this much-neglected corner of the city. The concept is to design new active street frontages to the three adjacent streets of Ashtree Road, Greenview Street and MacArthur Square/Shawbridge Street. Modern iterations of traditional tenements combined with quality landscaping and kerb appeal look to address and improve the street quality."

Incorporating seven wheelchair-accessible properties the development will address both the Old Town House of Pollokshaws as well as the John Maclean Memorial Cairn, with a corner block activated by ground and first-floor offices for GHA.

Parking will be limited to unallocated lay-by spots and end-on places, freeing up backcourt areas for additional amenities. Single-storey service buildings will conjoin each block to provide a continuous frontage while still permitting daylight through with textured brickwork elevations and tall windows designed to evoke a modern tenement.

Landscaping work to the adjacent square will be subject to a future planning application.

9 Comments

#1 Posted by Robert on 4 Mar 2022 at 17:21 PM

Having grown up in the area, the building of the Shawlands Arcade is one of my earliest memories. And now it is gone, to be replaced by Lego shaped apartment blocks with no shops, cafes or restaurants. Is this decline in Shawlands as a suburban destination due to people driving to malls such as Silverburn? Sad.

#2 Posted by Chris on 5 Mar 2022 at 14:34 PM

#1 if you read the article then you would see this is the Shawbridge Arcade in Pollokshaws, not the Shawlands Arcade in Shawlands.

#3 Posted by Robert on 5 Mar 2022 at 15:50 PM

Thanks Chris - so it’s where the driving test centre used to be in Pollockshaws close to Morrison’s store?

#4 Posted by Chris on 5 Mar 2022 at 16:50 PM

Hi Robert, that's the one just opposite the library. It's only the William Hill still open I think these days.

#5 Posted by Fat Bloke on Four on 5 Mar 2022 at 17:01 PM

#1 shawlands and newlands shops are in decline as too many sterile estate agents that do not bring people into the area to shop. Needs smaller shop units for the independent retailers.
#3 yes - it's not even used for filming these day (trainspotting was filmed there)

#6 Posted by Stephen R on 14 Mar 2022 at 15:34 PM

It couldn't be much worse than what's there now, but the proposal could definitely be improved. A bit lacking in detail. The public square should be celebrated here especially given the demolition of so much historical structures no longer present in new pollokshaws. A couple of retail units at ground floor onto the square would help give the shaws more of a centre feeling or at least help feed coffee and cake addiction.

#7 Posted by Steven Roulston on 14 Apr 2022 at 17:31 PM

The new development is the most uninspiring looking thing ,the original swimming pool should never have been demolished facade should have at least been retained another failing by GCC' I have never seen Glasgow looking as bad as it does now the place is utterly appalling.

#8 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 14 Apr 2022 at 19:44 PM

#7 seriously? The swimming pool was the usual failure of 60 architects to understand basic detailing.
But if you refer to the architects award winning dark brick residential development of agree! Pretentious tosh.

#9 Posted by Ro on 22 Sep 2022 at 00:55 AM

Get the all the shops open up again for the people who live in pollokshaws

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