Green light for 25-storey student skyscraper at £250m Glasgow development

Detailed planning consent has been secured for the first phase of an ambitious £250 million Glasgow project that includes a 25-storey block of student flats.

CXG Glasgow described the planning consent from Glasgow City Council as a “significant milestone” in plans to transform a key gateway site in the city centre.

The approved plans will see the delivery of purpose-built 620-bed student accommodation on the Elmbank Gardens site, at the corner of the city’s Bath Street and Newton Street, beside Charing Cross railway station.

CGI of the proposed development at Charing Cross, Glasgow. Image by Michael Laird Architects (MLA)

Designed by Michael Laird Architects, the striking 25-storey building will establish a “new architectural landmark” at Charing Cross, CXG said, alongside enhanced landscaping and public realm improvements that promise to “strengthen connectivity and transform how people experience this key part of the city centre”.

CXG Glasgow secured outline planning consent for the wider masterplan in late 2024. Demolition and site clearance works are currently underway to remove two 1960s buildings that occupy the site and prepare the ground for the first phase of development. The completion of the demolition work is slated for this August.

Work on site is expected to commence in 2027 with completion in 2030.

The wider masterplan will include new office space, private homes and retail units. Phase two of the masterplan proposal is expected to be delivered in the early 2030s.

Andrew Richardson, managing director of development at ESR DevCo, said: “Securing detailed planning consent marks a major milestone for Charing Cross Gateway and brings us a significant step closer to transforming this important gateway site.

“This development represents a major investment in Glasgow and will support construction jobs as work progresses, helping to drive activity and momentum within the city centre. More importantly, it presents an exciting opportunity to create a vibrant new destination that reconnects Charing Cross with the surrounding city centre, creating a strong sense of place and bringing new energy, life and opportunity to this part of Glasgow.”