Latest news with #RuairiKelly
STV News
18 hours ago
- Business
- STV News
Rennie Mackintosh building to be sold and turned into museum
A Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed former school in Townhead is set to be sold by Glasgow City Council and turned into a Scottish Catholic museum. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland are expected to take over the old Martyrs' School on Parson Street if a £250,000 deal is backed by councillors this week. It is planning to invest £1.75m in the A-listed property to create a 'public museum of Scottish Catholic archives to house artefacts and artworks', a council report reveals. While not the highest bid received, council officials have recommended it for approval 'given the overall merits'. They add the unconditional offer of £250,000 has the 'benefit of certainty, being a cash offer and not being subject to any suspensive conditions'. Two other bids met the same criteria but were for commercial letting of workshop space, with some public exhibition space, and their occupation was 'not guaranteed'. Cllr Ruairi Kelly, SNP, the council's convener for housing and development, said the plan was 'great news for an important piece of Glasgow's built heritage'. 'Without marketing this building, we would not have found such a positive outcome that not only secures investment but opens it to the public,' he said on social media. The three-storey school building was designed for the School Board of Glasgow by Charles Rennie Mackintosh while he was an assistant at architectural firm Honeyman and Keppie and completed in 1898. It is of 'considerable architectural and cultural significance, being one of the earlier buildings attributed to Mackintosh', the council report adds. Used as a school and college until the early 1970s, the building has since been an arts centre and then council offices. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland's plan for the property also includes some office space, and 'proposes to link the subject to their existing ownership on the opposite side of the street'. Marketing of the building began in October last year after it had sat empty for 'a considerable time'. Five compliant bids were received by the closing date in March this year. The council report adds: 'It is proposed the subject will undergo a sensitive restoration and will have the prospect of a meaningful future as part of its local community.' 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
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Homes to be built on site of destroyed Glasgow tower blocks
Property developer, Keepmoat, has committed to investing £59.9million into the next phase of the Sighthill Transformation Regeneration Area (TRA). The housebuilder announced it will create an additional 246 new homes at the multi-million-pound NorthBridge development on Pinkston Road, following the success of the first phase that created 154 homes. As part of the works, Keepmoat will deliver another multi-tenure community, with more than 41 new homes being made available for the local housing association, Wheatley Homes Glasgow (WHG). Meanwhile, the firm is also working with Glasgow City Council to create 'enhanced and new transport links, green space, and walking and cycling routes' in the area. The development, now named 'NorthBridge' in honour of the new footbridge linking the new community with the heart of Glasgow directly across the M8, will create more than 1,150 new homes when complete, replacing 10 tower blocks that were demolished in 2011. READ MORE: Over 120 homes to be built in Glasgow's Athletes' Village READ MORE: More than 100 new plush homes to be built as part of major development READ MORE: Plan moves forward for massive new Glasgow city centre development Tim Metcalfe, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, Scotland, said: 'We're delighted to launch the next phase of this flagship Scottish development, marking a significant step in our continued journey to transform the Sighthill area, providing much-needed housing in Glasgow. 'Delivered across multiple phases and in close partnership with the local authority, this project reflects our long-term commitment to the city and our ambition to create exceptional places to live. 'Following a strategic re-plan to increase the total homes from 824 to 1,154, we're excited to move the latest phases forward, ensuring the team at Keepmoat delivers the right mix of quality homes, open space and connectivity into the city so residents can access amenities and opportunities. 'Keepmoat's focus remains firmly on building sustainable, well-connected communities that stand the test of time. "This isn't just about building houses - it's about investing in Glasgow's future.' Councillor Ruairi Kelly, City Convener for Housing, Development and Land Use at Glasgow City Council, added: 'The transformation of Sighthill has been a great success so far with high-quality new homes, a new park and a fantastic environment close to the city centre, and the start of work on the next phase will develop what has already been achieved there as a great place to live.'
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New guide shows where skyscrapers could be built in Glasgow
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. Glasgow, unlike other Scottish cities, has room to expand upwards. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. This density is seen as essential for enhancing productivity and growth in the UK. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. The design principles and location suggestions in the guide are set to play a crucial role in determining planning applications. The guide also took into account the experiences of similar-sized European cities and the evolving development priorities in the UK and Europe. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
Glasgow set for skyscraper boom as new planning rules to come in
The Tall Buildings Design Guide outlines regions like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate, and Cowcaddens as potential sites for taller structures. The guide also provides expectations for building quality, design, and aesthetics. There is a focus on mixed-use developments, recommending street-level retail and leisure spaces. This marks a departure from previous decades when building heights were restricted. The guide anticipates a shift in the city's skyline, aiming to achieve the city centre population densities typical of European cities. The guidance was developed based on feedback from initial consultations with architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, as well as a public consultation that received more than 270 responses. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for development and land use at Glasgow City Council, said: "Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. "Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it." The guidance will be presented to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval.
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Major changes to Glasgow skyline on horizon as new policy agreed
It also includes guidance around encouraging mixed-use developments, such as the inclusion of street level retail and leisure. According to the council, areas in the city centre which could see more tall buildings include Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, Trongate and Cowcaddens. The guidance marks a significant change from the past number of decades where buildings have been capped well below what might be expected in a city of Glasgow's size and growing international profile. READ MORE: The council said: "Glasgow is unique among Scottish cities in having the scope to build upwards and, shaped by this Tall Buildings guidance, it is confidently expected that the city skyline will change, building towards the kind of city centre population density that's commonplace in European cities – and the comparable lack of which is an acknowledged barrier to growth and productivity in the UK." The evolution of the guidance was shaped by findings from initial consultation sessions, attended by architects, designers, developers, and amenity organisations, and a later public consultation which drew over 270 responses. The design guidance was also shaped by the experience of other similarly-sized European cities and the changes to development priorities in the UK and Europe. It will now go to the council's City Administration Committee for final approval. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Development and Land Use at Glasgow City Council, said: 'Tall buildings will play a significant role in our ambition to grow the city centre population and encouraging major construction projects will be a boost for the local economy and employment. "Having clear parameters of what we will support, and where, will give clarity to residents and assurances to those who wish to invest and develop in our city. Glasgow is very much open for business, and if we want to see a thriving city then we need to build it.'
