Vita Group has acquired a 1.28-acre office site in Glasgow city centre from City Property Glasgow (Investments) for an undisclosed price.
Vita intends to deliver a 591-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on the site at 20 India Street, which was formerly occupied by Strathclyde Regional Council.
Designed by Sheppard Robson, the scheme will offer amenities including social and study spaces, a gym and café-style lounges, which will be run by an on-site operations team.
Planning permission for the site was granted by Glasgow City Council in December 2024 and also includes a block of 20 affordable housing units with private gardens.
Mark Oakes, chief commercial officer at Vita Group, said: “Over the last 12 months we’ve been working with the local community, councillors and a broad spectrum of stakeholders to shape the plans for 20 India Street, breathing new life into this brownfield site with plans for affordable housing, student accommodation and new commercial opportunities at this important site.
“Vita’s existing Glasgow building on Beith Street is currently already ahead of the lettings curve for the 25/26 academic year, demonstrating the strong demand for our product in the city. The new development emphasises our further commitment to Glasgow and aims to help alleviate some of the pressures felt across the city as a result of Glasgow’s growing population and lack of available housing types.”
Andrew Johnston, asset manager at City Property Glasgow (Investments), added: “We’re delighted to confirm the sale of 20 India Street to Vita Group. This area of the city has seen major investment recently and this development will contribute significantly by transforming a site which has been vacant for 10 years and providing sought after student accommodation. This transaction contributes to the growth of opportunity and prosperity for Glasgow and helps City Property in achieving our ambition to positively invest in the city’s economy.
“We’d like to thank our agents, CBRE for their work on this transaction, as well as John Meehan and the legal team at Harper MacLeod. We look forward to seeing Vita Group’s development take shape over the coming months.”
David Smith, executive director at CBRE, said: “We are pleased to have advised City Property Glasgow in this landmark transaction. The redevelopment of 20 India Street represents a key milestone in the regeneration of Charing Cross, transforming a vacant site into a vibrant new community that will importantly deliver much-needed new homes and increase footfall in this area of the city. To drive impactful regeneration and stimulate economic growth in the city, innovative and strategic developments like this are essential.”
