Watkin Jones has secured planning permission to develop Scotland’s tallest residential building.
The company will build the 36-storey, 784-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on the site of Portcullis House at Charing Cross in Glasgow.
The amenity provision at The Àrd will include games rooms, laundry rooms, lounges, co-working spaces, external terraces and terrace gardens, a gym, a yoga and spin studio, an art studio, shared kitchens and private dining areas.
A sky lounge will offer residents views across the city and a ground-floor café will be open for both residents and the public. The Àrd will also provide third-party spaces and a rent-free facility for the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network, which supports budding entrepreneurs.
The development will involve the partial retention of the old HMRC building on India Street and Watkin Jones is targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating for the project.
Iain Smith, planning director at Watkin Jones, said: “Building on our strong record of delivery in Glasgow, I am pleased to announce that we have secured planning permission for The Àrd in Glasgow. Amidst the chronic undersupply of student housing in Glasgow, this development marks a significant step forward in addressing the demand for additional student accommodation, and also represents our commitment to creating sustainable homes in key regeneration areas. We look forward to working further with the Glasgow City Council on future projects.
“The Àrd will not only revitalise the current brownfield site at Charing Cross, bringing much-needed redevelopment to Glasgow, but will also enhance the public realm and support the thriving student community. We are excited to welcome the Glasgow Social Enterprise Network to The Àrd as well, and to support them in their vital collaborative work with students and entrepreneurs.”
