Following planners urging Glasgow City Council to approve plans for The Àrd, a PBSA led, mixed-use scheme in Glasgow, Scotland, Watkin Jones announces it has secured planning for the new scheme, subject to conditions.
It will see the former Portcullis House brownfield site beside the M8 at Charing Cross redeveloped into a PBSA scheme with ground floor commercial units. At 36 storeys, the development is set to be the tallest residential building in Scotland, offering views of the surrounding cityscape.
The Àrd will deliver 784 units in a mix of ensuite rooms and studios. Amenities include games rooms, laundry rooms, lounges, co-working spaces, external terraces and terrace gardens, a gym, yoga and spin studio, art studio, shared kitchens, master-chef kitchen, and private dining areas in addition to a library and study areas.
Residents will also benefit from a sky lounge offering a viewing platform with citywide views. The lounge will also be available for institutional use and businesses to host events. Additionally, a ground-floor café will be open to both residents and the public.
construction will involve partial retention of the old HMRC building on India Street.
“Building on our strong record of delivery in Glasgow, I am pleased to announce that we have secured planning permission for The Àrd in Glasgow. Amidst the chronic undersupply of student housing in Glasgow, this development marks a significant step forward in addressing the demand for additional student accommodation, and also represents our commitment to creating sustainable homes in key regeneration areas.
“We look forward to working further with the Glasgow City Council on future projects.The Àrd will not only revitalise the current brownfield site at Charing Cross, bringing much-needed redevelopment to Glasgow, but will also enhance the public realm and support the thriving student community. We are excited to welcome the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network to The Àrd as well, and to support them in their vital collaborative work with students and entrepreneurs.”
Iain Smith, Planning Director at Watkin Jones
Designed by architectural firm Hawkins Brown, The Àrd will also feature the latest low and zero carbon technologies. Enhances to the public realm will also be made, including upgrades to Charing Cross Station’s footway.
The scheme will also see biodiversity enhanced, with Watkin Jones planting 22 trees and replacing two, as well as a roof terrace and biophilic amenity space, incorporating flower-rich planting into the communal spaces.
Incorporating innovative sustainability features, the development will retain part of the existing reinforced concrete frame, saving 900 tonnes of embodied carbon. Throughout the design process, the entire lifecycle carbon impact has been evaluated to minimise its carbon footprint. The Àrd project is also set to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, supporting the sustainability of the development.
Responding to the decision of the Planning Applications committee of City of Glasgow Council, Watkin Jones Group expressed their delight with the news.
“We are delighted that our planning application for The Ard (formerly Portcullis House) has been granted, subject to conditions.
“This mixed-use development, comprising high-quality student homes, will serve to address a well-recognised chronic undersupply of student accommodation in the city, also freeing up homes more appropriate for families.
“In addition to student accommodation, a new multi-space facility for the charity, Glasgow Social Enterprise Network (GSEN) and flexible commercial space will be provided, as well as increased public realm.
“Regenerating a current brownfield site, the development will be designed to the highest environmental standards, boasting the latest low and zero carbon technologies.
“The Ard will contribute immensely to the greening of the city, providing high-quality publicly accessible open spaces, with biodiversity enhanced through creating new habitats on a site that currently has a low habitat value.
“This will be delivered through increased planting and new landscaped areas, with public realm increased by 75% across the site.
“Redevelopment of the site will form a significant part of an overall renewal of the west end of the city centre, acting as a catalyst for change and enhancing the vitality of this part of the city.
“We look forward to continue to engage with the Council and local community as we progress with the development of the site.”
Spokesperson for Watkin Jones Group
