PLANS for more than 430 new student flats in Glasgow city centre have been approved.
Consent has been granted for developers MRP and McAleer & Rushe to create a purpose-built student accommodation scheme of 432 apartments on Renfield Street, worth in the region of £85 million.
Work will begin in August 2024 and is expected to be completed in time for the 2025/26 student intake.
The studio flats will range from around 18 square metres to 40 square metres, with an average weighted bedroom size of 21 square metres over 16 storeys.
A sky lounge and roof terrace will also offer views across Glasgow and beyond, and external landscape spaces will be built at the ground and first-floor levels.
The Renfield Street development is adjacent to the Maldron Hotel, which MRP previously developed and will complete the infill of this Broadway Central "city block" which also includes the Tesco Bank office.
We previously reported that ES Renfield Ltd, part of McAleer & Rushe, asked Glasgow City Council for permission to create the accommodation at the corner of Renfrew Street and Renfield Street.
It marks the 'final phase' of the regeneration of the block which has included the construction of the Citizen M Hotel and Maldron Hotel and a revamp of the Theatre Royal.
Previously used by STV, the site had been earmarked for offices by the developers but, according to the new application, there was “no tangible occupier interest”.
The accommodation is designed to prioritise environmental sustainability, targeting BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A Rating, with the low energy approach exceeding Glasgow City Council’s energy efficiency standards by 20% (Gold Level) and exceeding the 20% renewable target set by Glasgow planning policy.
MRP and McAleer & Rushe have delivered over 11,500 purpose-built student accommodation beds since entering the sector around eight years ago.
MRP's development director Graham Mitchell said: “This approval follows a long period of positive and meaningful pre-application engagement with a variety of stakeholders, including local resident representatives and community councils.
"Glasgow has a structural undersupply of student accommodation, and this project will provide 432 high-quality studios in the heart of the city, offering easy access to numerous higher education establishments and enjoying all the amenities the city centre has to offer.
"The quality of this development, our sector experience and the proven delivery capabilities of MRP and McAleer & Rushe is evidenced by the strong interest our Agents at Savills have received from potential partners who wish to work with us on this project."
