Latest news with #MaxBielby
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Eyesore ‘People Make Glasgow' building set for major transformation
It's not the first iconic city centre building the firm has transformed Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE former Glasgow Metropolitan College building is reportedly set for a major transformation. The iconic landmark - famed for its 'People Make Glasgow' branding - is being converted into a brand new living space. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The former Glasgow Metropolitan College is set for an exciting transformation Credit: Alamy The tower has been branded an "eyesore" in recent years due to the deterioration of the building. But it has now been snapped up by developers who are set to turn it into luxury flats. It follows the recent completion of a similar project by construction firm Vita Group in Manchester. Developers say the plan will support "a new community of city centre professionals" and boost the local economy, according to BBC News. Max Bielby, the chief operating officer of Vita Group, reckons the proposal would breathe new life into the building. He said: "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." The renowned pink structure was previously branded as an "eyesore". The signage was initially used for the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and was only meant to be in place during the event, but ended up remaining until now. The building was previously branded one of the ugliest in the UK and a "crime against architecture". Bruntwood SciTech bought the premises for £16.2m in 2022. Iconic Glasgow Cineworld that's world's tallest cinema building set to close as staff face axe The firm wanted to create 200,000 sq ft of office space and a "dedicated digital and tech hub in the heart of the city". However Vita has now taken over - just weeks after transforming Glasgow's O2 ABC into a food hall. The firm has also developed student housing throughout the city. Glasgow City Council chief Councillor Susan Aitken hailed the new accommodation objective. She said: "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." "When it first opened in the early 1960s, the Met Tower was a symbol of a new and modern Glasgow. 2 A lion sculpture next to the cenotaph and People Make Glasgow sign Credit: Alamy "I look forward to it once again becoming a potent symbol of our changing city centre."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
'People Make Glasgow' tower to be transformed into city centre flats
The Met Tower, once home to the city's College of Printing and later Glasgow Metropolitan College, has sat empty for over a decade. 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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. 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."
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'People Make Glasgow' tower to be turned into flats
A landmark Glasgow tower is to be turned into flats after a property developer acquired the Vita Group intend to convert the Met Tower - known for a prominent "People Make Glasgow" graphic - into a "union co-living" space, following a similar development in Manchester. Developers say the plan will support "a new community of city centre professionals" and boost the local site was previously the city's college of printing and then Glasgow Metropolitan College, before being vacated more than ten years ago. Recent years have seen plans to re-develop the building into a tech hub fall through, while other proposals have included turning it into offices, homes and hotel firm said concepts under consideration include revitalising the Met Tower, creating what it called "high-quality communal spaces" and improving links between existing and new structures as well as surrounding Bielby, the chief operating officer of Vita Group, said the proposal would breathe new life into the building."Glasgow is a city with exceptional energy, creativity, and talent, and the Met Tower is an iconic part of its skyline," he said."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."The proposal is tied in with Glasgow City Council's strategy for the city centre, which aims to double the number of residents living there by 2035. Union Manchester opened earlier this year with more than 1,600 co-living beds and shared spaces, including co-working areas, a residents' bar, wellness facilities and social company previously stated co-union living mixes rent-by-the-room, flatmate matching and flexible stays with shared spaces like gyms, aimed at creating a community are behind the ongoing proposal to turn the former O2 ABC building into a food hall and student plans have been called in by the Scottish government after initially being approved by the city council against the wishes of the neighbouring Glasgow School of firm has also developed student housing throughout Glasgow. However, the Union Manchester properties were not available for students. Cllr Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said the news represented a vote of confidence in 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."
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
Derelict 'People Make Glasgow' tower to be turned into flats
A deal has been agreed for the now-derelict Met Tower, with its distinctive but now fading pink and white People Make Glasgow signage, to be taken over. It has been sold to Vita Group, who plan to turn it into a co-living development. The group, which also has purpose-built student accommodation in Glasgow, is proposing to bring its 'union co-living' plan to Scotland for the first time. READ MORE: Over 80 jobs lost as Scots firm appoints liquidators after 90 years in business The concept, according to the group, 'enables individuals, couples, and small groups to select the apartment size that best suits their needs, while providing access to shared amenities designed to foster vibrant, connected communities.' The listed building, formerly the College of Building and Printing and most recently part of Glasgow Metropolitan College, opened in 1964 and has been empty for more than a decade. It had the now-familiar city marketing slogan added before the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The developer plans to import the model used in Manchester 'with more than 1600 co-living beds and shared spaces'. (Image: Vita) Vita has also acquired the former O2 ABC site on Sauchiehall Street, which is at the centre of a planning wrangle. Max Bielby, chief operating officer of Vita Group, said: "Glasgow is a city with exceptional energy, creativity, and talent, and the Met Tower is an iconic part of its skyline. '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. 'We have a long history of delivering projects that work for Scotland, and we're committed to working in partnership with Glasgow to develop plans that respond to its priorities and breathe new life into a building that has historically been an engine of opportunity for young people." The deal was welcomed by the council and business leaders. Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: 'This is fantastic news for the future of a listed Glasgow landmark - and for the ongoing transformation of our city centre. 'And I'm delighted with this vote of confidence in a city centre where more and more people are choosing to live and invest. '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. '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.' READ MORE: 'Good idea' or 'pointless'?: Glasgow locals have say on UK's new online safety rules Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "We're pleased to see Vita Group recognise the opportunity that Glasgow's growing economy presents, particularly through its continued investment in key sites across the city, including the ABC building on Sauchiehall Street and India Street. 'The acquisition of the Met Tower, given its prime location, scale, and prominence, is another welcome vote of confidence in Glasgow's future. "As the city's innovation economy continues to expand, supported by the city region's innovation districts, developments like this have the potential to play a significant role in driving forward the Glasgow City Innovation District and the wider city centre economy."
STV News
4 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Iconic 'People Make Glasgow' building sold to be turned into flats
The iconic 'People Make Glasgow' building has been bought and will be turned into flats. The Met Tower, located on the city's North Hanover Street, opened its doors in 1964 and spent most of its life as the Glasgow College of Building and Printing. In 2014, a giant pink advertising placard titled 'People Make Glasgow' was plastered onto the side of the building as part of the Commonwealth Games advertising. The tower was closed during the summer of 2016 and has been left abandoned ever since. The landmark has now been acquired by Vita Group, who also submitted proposals to turn Glasgow's former ABC music venue into student flats. The company are aiming to redevelop the Met Tower into the first Union co-living concept in Scotland. Apartments will be built to house individuals, couples and groups. Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken believes the plans could contribute to the 'ongoing transformation' of the city. She said: 'This is fantastic news for the future of a listed Glasgow landmark – and for the ongoing transformation of our city centre. And I'm delighted with this vote of confidence in a city centre where more and more people are choosing to live and invest. '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. '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.' The Vita Group is currently creating proposals to be presented to the local authority in the future. Max Bielby, chief operating officer of Vita Group, said: 'Glasgow is a city with exceptional energy, creativity, and talent, and the Met Tower is an iconic part of its skyline. 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. 'We have a long history of delivering projects that work for Scotland, and we're committed to working in partnership with Glasgow to develop plans that respond to its priorities and breathe new life into a building that has historically been an engine of opportunity for young people.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
