'People Make Glasgow' tower to be transformed into city centre flats
One of Glasgow's most recognisable landmarks is set for a major transformation. The Met Tower, famous for its bold 'People Make Glasgow' slogan, has been acquired by The Vita Group, who plan to convert the structure into a new co-living development.
Following the success of a similar project in Manchester, Vita aims to redevelop the iconic high-rise into 'Union co-living' accommodation, designed to attract professionals living and working in the city centre. The company says the development will foster a vibrant new community and stimulate the local economy.
The Met Tower, once home to the city's College of Printing and later Glasgow Metropolitan College, has sat empty for over a decade. Various redevelopment proposals — including a tech hub, offices, homes, and hotel plans — have fallen through in recent years.
Now, Vita says it's considering ideas to revitalise the building by creating high-quality shared spaces, enhancing connectivity with the surrounding streets, and linking old and new parts of the site.
"Glasgow is a city with exceptional energy, creativity, and talent, and the Met Tower is an iconic part of its skyline," Max Bielby, Chief Operating Officer at Vita Group told the BBC.
"We see a real opportunity to explore how our Union concept could bring much-needed accommodation to the heart of the city, supporting its employment base, culture, and social scene."
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The project aligns with Glasgow City Council's long-term strategy to double the population of the city centre by 2035.
Union Manchester — Vita's first co-living site — launched earlier this year, featuring over 1,600 beds and shared amenities such as co-working areas, a bar, wellness spaces, and lounges.
The Union model combines flexible, room-based rental, flatmate matching, and a focus on shared living to build a strong sense of community. Unlike Vita's student housing developments across Glasgow, Union Manchester was marketed specifically to non-students.
Vita is also behind a controversial proposal to convert the former O2 ABC music venue into a food hall and student accommodation. Though approved by the city council, those plans were later called in by the Scottish Government following objections from the neighbouring Glasgow School of Art.
Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken welcomed the new Met Tower development, calling it a clear vote of confidence in the future of city centre living.
"Vita's plans will bring what is an emerging accommodation concept to Glasgow, one that's been successful elsewhere and which can meet the needs of many younger residents," she said.
"When it first opened in the early 1960s, the Met Tower was a symbol of a new and modern Glasgow. I look forward to it once again becoming a potent symbol of our changing city centre."
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