St George’s Road student housing Glasgow, PBSA city centre flats, Woodlands accommodation G3 homes

St George’s Road student housing Glasgow

post updated 6 December 2023

Glasgow City Council gives green light to Alumno student residence

Location: St George’s Road, Woodlands Conservation Area, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

image courtesy of Alumno

St George’s Road student residence

Proposals for new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) on Glasgow’s St George’s Road by award-winning developer Alumno have obtained ‘minded-to-grant’ approval from the local authority. The submission was so well received it was granted permission by delegated decision without the need for planning committee consultation, an increasingly rare scenario.

Glasgow’s five universities host over 76,000 students, almost half of which are living principally in private rented accommodation. This puts significant pressure on local housing, which the new development will help to relieve. Works are due to begin next year, with Alumno planning to welcome students to the residence for the start of the 2026 academic year. Alumno has previously delivered the well regarded Hyndland House in Brighton on the city’s Dumbarton Rd.

Designed by Carson & Partners in collaboration with Stallan Brand, the new six-storey building will comprise a range of high-quality single ensuite bedrooms with shared kitchens and self-sufficient studios, accommodating 262 students in total. There will also be a number of accessible rooms for those with additional needs. To create an ideal environment for both socialising and work, communal spaces will be provided, including a private dining room, lounge and common study space on the fifth floor.

The development will also restore a commercial unit to the current vacant site, providing a local business opportunity. Meanwhile, external landscaping will enhance the surrounding area for residents and the local community.

A key factor in successfully securing planning permission was Alumno’s careful consideration of the Glasgow City Development Plan’s recommendations, particularly with respect to placemaking and sustainability. The PBSA specialist prioritises placemaking in all of its projects to ensure they benefit the local community. This approach has seen Alumno provide workspaces for graduates and local startups, create new public art spaces and restore historic buildings.

Initial plans for the St George’s Road development include commissioning work by local artists and poets based on Glasgow’s art history to enhance the entrance and courtyard, both of which will be visible from the street. The new building is also aiming for a BREEAM Excellent sustainability ranking.

Architecturally, at ground level a transparent dual aspect reception will physically and visually connect one of two landscaped courtyards to the street, while its adjoining retail space will help to breathe life back into the area. The plan, elevation and massing treatments follow a rational approach in response to local architectural characteristics. Meanwhile, the extruded nature of the front corner, incorporating a roof top communal living room, and the articulation of the facade along Grant Street are both familiar Glasgow west end terrace features.

“We are delighted to have gained planning permission for this important development – our second in the city – which will provide much needed high-quality accommodation for Glasgow students,” said Alumno Managing Director David Campbell. “Our overarching intention is to respect the diverse community of Woodlands and St Georges Cross, while reconnecting and repairing the missing corner of St George’s Road, reinforcing the character of the area, and re-introducing a commercial space at street level.”

Previously on Glasgow Architecture:

22 July 2023

Address: St George’s Road, Woodlands Conservation Area, Glasgow, Scotland, UK

Alumno apply for planning permission from Glasgow Council for the development of student housing on St George’s Road in the city’s Woodlands district.

Alumno seeks planning permission for Glasgow student residence

Award-winning purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) specialist Alumno has applied to Glasgow City Council for permission to build a new development on St George’s Road in the Woodlands district. The proposal will provide much needed high-quality PSBA in a city that has the third largest student population in the UK. Glasgow’s five universities host over 76,000 students, almost half of which are living principally in private rented accommodation putting pressure on local housing.

The proposed six-storey building will accommodate 262 students, comprising a range of high-quality single ensuite bedrooms with shared kitchens, and self-sufficient studio rooms. The development will also include a level of accessible rooms for those with additional needs. To create an ideal environment for both socialising and work, communal spaces will be provided, including a private dining room, lounge and common study space on the fifth floor.

An entrance and reception area will be located on the ground floor, along with laundry facilities. The development will also restore commercial units to the current vacant site, providing opportunities to local businesses. Meanwhile, external landscaping will enhance the surrounding area for residents and the local community.

The development will be designed by Carson & Partners, who have partnered Alumno on several PBSA projects across the country, including Hyndland House in Glasgow. On preparing the application, Alumno has carefully considered the Glasgow City Development Plan’s recommendations, particularly with respect to placemaking and sustainability.

image courtesy of architects practice

The site is located on the edge of the Woodlands Conservation Area, a historic environment that the council aims to protect, preserve, conserve or enhance. Alumno’s proposal takes this into account, pledging to ensure the scale, design and landscaping of the proposed development will minimise any adverse impact, while enhancing the streetscape.

Meanwhile, placemaking is a key driver of all Alumno’s projects, which have provided workspaces for graduates and local startups, created new public art spaces and restored historic buildings, ensuring they benefit the local community. With a leading reputation for commissioning new artwork by local artists, poets and designers for its developments, Alumno’s initial thinking is to position works at the entrance and in the proposed courtyard based around Glasgow’s art history, both of which are visible from the street. In terms of the new building’s sustainability, the aim is to achieve BREEAM standard Excellent.

“In providing much needed high-quality accommodation for Glasgow students, our overarching intention is to respect the diverse community of Woodlands and St Georges Cross and reconnect and repair the missing corner of St George’s Road, while reinforcing the character of the area and re-introducing the frontages at street level,” said Alumno Managing Director David Campbell.

Commenting on the proposed design, Iain Carson at Carson & Partners, said: “The plan, elevation and massing treatments follow a rational approach, in response to existing datums, materiality, proportion and local architectural characteristics.

The extruded celebration of the corner incorporating a roof top communal living room and articulation of the facade along Grant Street are both familiar local west end terrace features. At ground level a transparent dual aspect reception will physically and visually connect one of two landscaped courtyards to the street while its adjoining retail space will once again help to reanimate and reinstate vibrancy to this significant part of St Georges Road.”

About Alumno

Alumno, established in 2006, partners with universities, colleges and other stakeholders to provide high quality living space for over 7,000 students to date across the UK, including London, Birmingham, Norwich, Glasgow, Durham and St Andrews.

Alumno delivers distinct and sensitive designs, carefully engaging with local residents to integrate its developments for the benefit of the existing community. Its schemes introduce a mix of other uses alongside the student accommodation.

www.alumnogroup.com

Comments on this St George’s Road student housing Glasgow article are welcome.

Location: St George’s Road, Woodlands Conservation Area, northwest Glasgow, Strathclyde, southwest Scotland, United Kingdom

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Comments / photos for St George’s Road student housing Glasgow for purpose-built student accommodation specialist Alumno in the Woodlands Conservation Area north west of the city centre page welcome