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Glasgow Charing Cross £250m revamp given go-ahead

CXG An architect's impression of plans for the Charing Cross regeneration shows several tall buildings with large windows in Charing Cross.CXG
Developers said the project would redevelop a "hostile walking environment"

The £250m transformation of the Charing Cross area of Glasgow has been given the go-ahead.

The project including new homes, student accommodation, hotel space and local services has been approved by Glasgow City Council.

Developers CXG Glasgow also plan to knock down the 300 Bath Street office building, which bridges the M8 motorway.

Further detailed applications will need to go before the council for approval before the Charing Cross Gateway project can begin.

CXG The Tay House bridge, a building on a bridge over the M8 motorway in Glasgow, can be seen in the distance. Beneath the road to Charing Cross is the M8 motorway.CXG
The 300 Bath Street offices would be demolished under the plan

The first phase of the plan includes student flats at Elmbank Gardens, provision for a healthcare facility and other "active ground-floor uses such as shops, food and drink, and leisure".

The second phase will see the redevelopment of 300 Bath Street, with private homes, offices and a hotel. It could also see the removal of the bridge.

The offices belong to the building owner while Glasgow City Council owns the concrete bridge structure.

Developers said this would "fully remove the visual barrier" allowing a future capping of the M8 to form a larger public space.

CXG An architect's impression of plans for the Charing Cross regeneration shows several tall buildings with large windows in Charing Cross. The M8 motorway can be seen emerging from the lower level tunnel beneath Charing Cross with cars travelling along it.CXG
The project has been devised by leading architectural practice, Michael Laird Architects

A roof over the motorway, between Sauchiehall Street and Bath Street, has been under consideration by the council for several years now.

Developers described the proposals as a "unique opportunity to redefine the western edge of Glasgow city centre".

They said the current buildings were built between 30 and 60 years ago and are now "outdated and create an undesirable streetscape and hostile walking environment".

Michael Laird Architects has worked with CXG Glasgow on the masterplan.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Drew Sandelands.