Bid to transform Glasgow skyline with 700-home tower block to be rejected by locals

Members of Blythswood and Broomielaw Community Council are preparing to object to the bid, which would take over the former HMRC building, Portcullis House, on India Street.

Developers Watkin Jones Group have submitted applications to Glasgow City Council in favour of demolishing the existing building to make way for 685 new build to rent (BTR) and co-living homes. 

But, residents say that the bid would not be of architectural or cultural influence on the basis of its size. 

Chairman of the community council, Alex Cheung, said: “This development will become the tallest building in the city centre and we believe does not fit into the city landscape of the surrounding area.

“This is particularly obvious when the proposed building will sit behind Tay house as you come off the westbound M8 slip road to Charing Cross and at a proposed 100 meters in height will stick out like a sore thumb. 

“The building itself will not be a building of architectural or cultural influence and we do not see the attraction of a building designed for new graduates being this tall.”

Earlier this month, we told how Watkin Jones Group undertook extensive consultation with local representatives and community groups prior to submitting their application. 

Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the scheme would represent a “fantastic” investment in the city.

He said: “Delivering high-quality housing such as this, which is desperately needed, will address increasing demand.

“It will also serve to retain skilled young people in the city as well as regenerating the city centre, which is a key aspiration for the city council.

“Glasgow City Council’s City Centre Living Strategy outlines a target to double the city centre’s population to 40,000 over the next 15 years and increasing density in the city centre is essential to its long-term success and sustainability. Schemes such as this do exactly that.

“The site has excellent transport links and local businesses will clearly benefit from these proposals.”

While locals welcomed proposals to regenerate the area, members of the community group remained concerned about the height of the complex and suggested developers to downsize.

Mr Cheung added: “Blythswood and Broomielaw Community Council welcomes any proposal that could help regenerate the west end of the city centre, however, we have concerns that this development will not fit with the city skyline and will draw the wrong attention because of its size. 

“If the building height was more in line with the surrounding area we would be more supportive of the proposal.”

If the application is approved, the 279-unit building would see residents share living spaces in a co-living environment. 

Those who would reside in the building would be offered long-term security of tenure and have access to wider on-site amenities, such as gyms and workspaces.

Members of the public would also be able to access a bar on the top floor of the development through a booking system.