Proposal at former M&S site could provide £76m of investment to Glasgow economy

New plans to build student accommodation in Glasgow at the former Marks & Spencer’s store on Sauchiehall Street have been launched.

Fusion Students have shared their plans, reducing the proposed building by one story to take the development to 17 floors, providing accommodation for 619 students.

The scheme equates to £76m of investment in the Glasgow economy.

Glasgow City Council had previously opposed the proposals in November, due to that the building would have a harmful impact in the local area and contribute to an over-population of students.

Steven Livingston, a spokesperson for Fusion Group, said: “Our new proposals submitted to Glasgow City Council represent a revised scheme, incorporating – where possible – comments received to ensure that our investments align with the aspirations and priorities of the local communities we seek to operate in.

“This includes a reduction in the height by dropping a floor of the proposed development to address some of the concerns raised as well as an increase in the provision of affordable units up to 15%, a first for a proposed PBSA development in Glasgow.

Fusion proposals would also maintain the 1930’s façade and restore an arcade linking Sauchiehall Street to Renfrew Street (formerly the Wellington Arcade).

The proposal also states the proposals would see the creation of a large unit for commercial use, to maintain activity at street level, ensuring occupancy and contributing to the dynamism of this prominent site on one of Glasgow’s main thoroughfares.

Callum Rattray