Glasgow City Council approved plans to convert offices

CHL (Glasgow) Ltd has secured permission to convert Sycamore House on Bath Street into 81 studio flats.

Built in around 1980, the office block, which can “no longer fulfil the requirements” of modern users, has faced “challenging times” in recent years and is now empty, the application stated.

It added: “The longer-term prospects for the building are not good as office space in the city is plentiful following the longer-term impacts of the pandemic, with many working from home or on hybrid arrangements.”

A viable use is required, the plans continue, and the developers want to “find a new future for this building by securing a new use in student accommodation”.

CGL (Glasgow) – a joint venture between Calmont Developments and Hargreaves Land – state there is an “increasing requirement” for purpose-built student accommodation across the city.

“The location is ideal for student living, being within walking distance of many of Glasgow’s higher education institutions, as well as the city centre,” the application adds.

Under the approved scheme, an extension can be added to the fourth floor of the west wing of the building.

Plans state a “viable alternative use as student accommodation has been identified and the proposal is to form 81 individual studio apartments sharing internal common amenity”.

The development is also set to include a cinema and gym in the basement and common and study rooms on the ground floor.