A HIGH-profile site is to be transformed into a hotel and plaza as part of the £100million redevelopment of the former City of Glasgow College campus.
Developers Osborne and Co have submitted a planning application which includes a 264-bed hotel, as well as the previously announced refurbishment of the B-listed 14-storey Met Tower into offices.
The North Hanover Street site would have a public plaza between the two buildings. Construction started last year on a 19-storey student accommodation building on the opposite corner.
Documents submitted to city planners state: “The scheme proposes three distinct elements which will create a fully integrated mixed-use development. It is proposed that the main tower will be fully re-clad in matching materials and refitted to provide grade A office accommodation with open concrete ceilings, new lifts and raised floors.
“At the north of the site we propose the demolition of the existing podium building, and replace this with a 264-bed hotel development over 11 storeys. It’s primary entrance will be on the north-west corner of the site and gives the opportunity for active frontage on all four sides.
“Sitting between the existing tower and proposed hotel development will be a newly-created, publicly accessible, landscaped plaza, providing the glue between the existing and new.”
Above, how the hotel is expected to look at the corner of North Frederick Street and Cathedral Street, and, below, the site currently
The statement continues: “Below this landscaped plaza is a retail offer, which will link through to the reception level of the tower and have active frontages on to both North Hanover Street and North Frederick Street.
“Our exciting proposal, we believe, works with the quirks and character of the existing building to create a new type of community and business ecosystem which will add greatly to the appeal of the North Bank of George Square.”
Will Hean, development director at Osborne and Co, said: “We recognise Met Tower’s significance to both the city’s character and people, so collaborating with Glasgow City Council to arrive at our final proposal has been crucial to ensure we deliver a development that addresses a requirement for the city and the people who make it.
“Undoubtedly, the city’s economy will face challenges over the coming weeks and months, but we are determined to underline our commitment to the city by progressing with the application and using the time we have now to ensure we are in a position to move forward when circumstances allow.
“It’s important that we continue our positive relationship with Glasgow City Council and we are grateful for their flexibility in providing online and virtual processes to ensure communication throughout the consideration phase can continue despite the COVID-19 outbreak.”
The property and investment firm has already cemented its commitment to Glasgow’s economy with works already underway for the £140m regeneration project on Argyle Street, which on completion will provide 283,000 sq ft of office space and become JP Morgan’s new European technology hub.
