[Architecture] Developments in Glasgow

[poprock]

Was just thinking there that I get to hear a lot of news about what’s being built in Glasgow, what shops are planning to open up, and things like that. Would folk be interested if I posted some of it up here from time to time?

Some examples:

The new extension to St Enoch’s Centre has had the entire top floor taken by Hamley’s for their second biggest store after London Regent’s Street. Henley’s and Pulp are taking shop units in there too.

Silverburn is being expanded, but the quality of new tenants is really, really low: Primark, Burger King and Blue Lagoon. Farmfoods too, but they’re not confirmed.

There’s a giant Argos due to open in the basement below Boots on Sauchiehall Street.

Somerfield on Byres Road will be changed into Glasgow’s first branch of Waitrose, making the West End even more West End.

Asda want to move into the empty B&Q unit at Braehead and Sainsbury’s are moving out of the shopping centre to build their own store across the car park.

The redevelopment of the Virginia Galleries is going well, should be open this year. Couple of artist’s impressions:

Linking to this second one because of hugeness

There’s a consultation thingy tonight about what’s proposed for the Merchant City space owned by Selfridges … they’re not planning to build a store there yet, so are going to disclose their plans for other things to do with the site in the meantime. Basically it’s about time the condemned buildings were demolished. Might be a car park, might be a wee garden/public space.

The big news is all about the Commonwealth Games in 2014, of course. The Velodrome being the main new building. You can find out pretty much anything you like baout all the 2014 stuff at City Legacy, who are the consortium who have been put in charge.

[Zippy]

The Blue Lagoon?

Hahahaha, fuck sake.

[poprock]

I know. Down-fucking-market or what?

Oh aye, and the old Tesco site on Argyle Street has been taken by TK Maxx, who are excavating a huge basement space to put their store into.

[Westy]

They are branching out. One in The Fort, Glasgow and now Silverburn. Theres probably more I don't know about as well.

[Zippy]

It's the worst chippy in the world, I wonder if they'll try and get a higher standard of folk serving you or if it'll still be old women with smoke stained hair and no teeth.

[Westy]

As a ghost once told Kevin Costner, "Build it and they will come".

[Witch]

win, i love hamleys

[metallideth]

The corruption and/or poor planning that pervades development in Glasgow makes me want to rocket myself as far away from this city as possible sometimes. Good sites to keep up on what are more typically called 'cultural' or 'social' developments away from what the press office will tell you:

http://www.variant.org.uk/ (Variant Magazine)
http://www.citystrolls.com/
http://gamesmonitor2014.wordpress.com/
http://www.glasgowlost.org/index.shtml

[linz]

Originally Posted by poprock

The redevelopment of the Virginia Galleries is going well, should be open this year. Couple of artist’s impressions:

Linking to this second one because of hugeness

Do you know if it'll be opening in the same kind of vein as it was before (ie small units for small businesses) or will it be a bit more upmarket?

[poprock]

Neither. It’s going to be flats. There’ll just be some retail space at street level. Hopefully including some smaller shop units and a café on the courtyard/Wynd side. That’s the plan anyway, remains to be seen if anyone takes up the leases.

Virginia Galleries website

You can always use Future Glasgow to keep up on this sort of thing, if you’re so inclined.

[poprock]

There’s a five star hotel opening at Blythswood Square later this year (Glasgow’s first), on the site of the old Royal Automobile Club.

The old BBC site at Queen Margaret Drive is being redeveloped into flats and (potentially) a hotel. Depends if anyone takes up the hotel lease. It’s on offer here.

[linz]

Originally Posted by poprock

Neither. It’s going to be flats. There’ll just be some retail space at street level. Hopefully including some smaller shop units and a café on the courtyard/Wynd side. That’s the plan anyway, remains to be seen if anyone takes up the leases.

Virginia Galleries website

You can always use Future Glasgow to keep up on this sort of thing, if you’re so inclined.

That's a shame - I know a fair few people who would definitely be interested if it opened up as it used to be.

[Evapilotone]

Henley's and Pulp? Who are they...

I can't seem to find anything online.

Also, is there any more word on the big extension planned for the galleries and the bus station? I heard there was a massive cinema going in there.

[poprock]

Originally Posted by Evapilotone

Henley's and Pulp? Who are they...

I can't seem to find anything online.

Also, is there any more word on the big extension planned for the galleries and the bus station? I heard there was a massive cinema going in there.

Pulp (alternative tat & clothes, bit like a UK Hot Topic)

Henley’s (more mainstream clothes, jeans & T-shirts kinda stuff)

I don’t know anything abut a cinema at the Buchanan Galleries extension, but there’s time yet—the build won’t start until next year. We’re talking about the big second phase, not the wee changes that are already underway. Rumour for the current wee changes is ten retail units with only one as a major tenant … a giant Marks & Spencer over four floors.

[Largest of Gregs]

Virginia galleries will never be as good as it used to be!