Proposals for high quality student accommodation in the heart of Glasgow city centre by Artisan Real Estate, have been given the go-ahead by Glasgow City Council.

Artisan Real Estate together with Homes for Students will now take forward proposals for 321 self-contained studio apartments at 292-298 St Vincent Street, aimed primarily at the post-graduate and overseas student market.

The plans include demolition of the existing office block, which has remained vacant since 2019 and replacing it with the new student development.

David Westwater, Artisan’s Scottish Regional Director, said: “The site is in a superb city centre location, within easy walking or cycling distance to a number of higher and further education establishments within the city. There is a demonstrable need for high-quality purpose-built student accommodation in the city, especially for individual studio apartments. The more longer-term student market we are targeting will bring energy and investment to the city centre and ensure deliverability of a superbly designed development to replace the existing office block which has remained vacant for four years.” 

The planning consent follows an extensive consultation exercise with the neighbouring community, with many agreeing the proposals would help to address the current shortfall in the city’s student accommodation whilst easing pressure on the city’s current residential stock. The new student development will re-energise the central commercial district, criss-crossed by Sauchiehall, Buchanan and Argyle streets. This includes plans for less retail and more restaurant and culture operators, with other suggestions including using empty upper floors of buildings for housing and shared workspaces.