Avenues work on two Glasgow city centre streets now complete
Holland Street and Pitt Street, part of the wider £120m City Avenues project, are re-open, including new tree-lined streets, widened pavements with a Caithness stone finish, segregated cycle lanes and green landscaping.
Along these streets, an influx of private investment has also led to hundreds of homes being built in the area.
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The development is being hailed as the biggest physical transformation of the Glasgow city centre since the pedestrianisation of Buchanan Street in the 1970s.
The Holland Street/Pitt Street project was delivered with both the Scottish and UK Governments contributing £2.4million, with additional funding provided from developer contributions and Transport Scotland.
Amongst the complimentary investments adding to the transformation of the area is Moda's Holland Park apartment building.
Moda is one of the private investors who have built in the area, building the Holland Park development on the site of the old HQ of Strathclyde Police.
James Blakey, Moda Group's director of planning and engagement, said: 'Moda is proud to have supported these improvements, reinforcing our commitment to investing in the city's future.'
'The city council said when complete, the Avenues programme - which includes the transformation of George Square - will form a network of attractive and accessible streets comparable with the people-focused changes introduced across Europe and designed to encourage more residents, visitors and investors to the city centre.
Councillor Angus Millar, Glasgow City Council's Convenor for City Centre Recovery, praised the transformation of the area.
He said: 'The Holland and Pitt Street Avenue also show how public and private investment is working together to unlock opportunities across the city centre, creating vibrant and attractive new districts.'
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The National
2 hours ago
- The National
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Scotsman
3 hours ago
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Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Why Americans want property in Scotland
The New Eidyn development at St James Quarter, Edinburgh could be just the thing for buyers from the US Alan Cumming on why so many people from across the Pond are buying homes over here Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland is seeing a steady rise in interest from American property buyers in 2025, driven by a mix of lifestyle appeal, relative affordability and strong cultural ties. Whether it's relocating, investing in a second home, or planning for retirement, more Americans are exploring the Scottish market as a viable and attractive option. At Rettie we have had an 18 per cent rise in our website traffic from the US in the last year alone. Rightmove recently reported that analysis of their data showed an increasing number of people from the US have been enquiring about homes for sale in the UK since the start of the year, and Scotland has replaced London as the most popular region for potential US movers to enquire about, with Edinburgh the most popular area for movers from the US. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow are becoming increasingly popular with overseas buyers — and it's easy to see why. They're straightforward to get around, packed with character and offer a great mix of culture, green space and everyday convenience. Edinburgh especially continues to stand out in European rankings, thanks to its strong infrastructure and vibrant lifestyle. For many Americans, these cities offer a smart and appealing alternative to the high costs and fast pace of major US cities. Scotland has replaced London as the most popular region for potential US movers to enquire about, says Alan Cumming Coastal towns such as North Berwick, St Andrews and Oban are also drawing interest. These areas offer a quieter pace of life, access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community – all of which appeal to buyers looking for a change from the fast-paced urban environments they are used to. The availability of high-quality housing stock and scenic surroundings adds to the appeal. However, purchasing property in Scotland comes with its own set of financial considerations. One of the key factors American buyers are often unaware of is the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) – Scotland's version of stamp duty. This tax can be significantly higher than in other parts of the UK, particularly for properties over £400,000 and for second homes (where there is an additional surcharge of 8 per cent compared to 6 per cent down south). For buyers unfamiliar with the UK's devolved tax systems, this can be an unexpected cost that affects overall affordability. Despite this, Scottish property remains relatively good value in a US context and average prices are below those down south. Many buyers are also working with local agents and legal professionals who can help them navigate the process and understand the full cost of ownership, including taxes, legal fees and ongoing maintenance. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What's clear is that American buyers are not just looking for a holiday home – they're looking for a long-term base that offers quality of life, stability and a sense of place. Scotland's combination of accessible cities, scenic towns and strong local identity makes it an increasingly attractive option. Americans aren't just visiting Scotland – they're settling in, drawn by charm, value and maybe just a wee dream of owning a castle (or two).
