Developers are looking to demolish a city centre building formerly occupied by Marks and Spencer just months after it closed for a final time.
The retailer was a popular fixture on Sauchiehall Street for nearly nine decades before it was shut down in January in what was described as a 'major blow' for the city. Less than a year on from the shock closure, developers are looking to demolish the building and replace it with student flats.
Opened in 1935, the shop was one of the city's oldest Marks & Spencer stores with news of its closure leaving many locals heartbroken.
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Under plans, the former M&S would be flattened and replaced with a mixed-use development incorporating student accommodation with a rooftop terrace and garden. It would accommodate around 500 residents.
Fusion Students who are behind the proposals outlined: “Built on the site of the former M&S Store, the proposed mixed-use development would deliver a range of active uses that will contribute to the long-term vibrancy and regeneration of one of the city’s main thoroughfares.
“The emerging design concept for 172 Sauchiehall Street involves the careful demolition of the existing building to facilitate its redevelopment through the erection of a mixed-use development incorporating student accommodation, potentially other residential uses, commercial and amenity uses.
“The upper levels of the Former M&S building would have student and potentially other residential accommodation for around 500 residents, complemented by a spacious rooftop terrace and garden: bringing Fusion Students’ unique ‘student-hotel life’ concept to the city’s growing student population.”
A shop unit is also included in the plans to provide a 'publicly accessible connection between Sauchiehall Street and Renfrew Street.
If given the go-ahead, Fusion are looking to start demolition and construction in July 2023, with the development scheduled to open in the summer of 2026.
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