22 Aug 2019
Crane count is globally recognised as a way of quickly gauging the current investment success, or otherwise, of city centres.
It might not stand up to close statistical analysis, but as a visual snapshot of how well things are going it takes a bit of beating.
I took the opportunity on one of this summer’s recent warm and sunny days to take a wee wander and to look up at what was rising out of the ground across the city.
It is encouraging to say the least to list just some of the developments which either have cranes at work or which are due to start this year.
Spreading the International Financial Services District (IFSD) to the south bank of the river at Tradeston is Barclay’s campus development at Buchanan Wharf, designed to house up to 2,500 jobs as part of Drum Property Group’s wider mixed-use project – that alone showing how successful Glasgow has been in building one of the top 50 global financial centres.
On the way to providing much-needed Grade A office space is BAM’s Atlantic Square on the Clyde waterfront, FORE Partnership’s Cadworks, HFD Group’s 177 Bothwell Street and Osborne+Co’s planned £95m investment on Argyle Street.
In the burgeoning build to rent sector, Moda Living is at work on the former Strathclyde Police headquarters at Pitt Street to build 433 new apartments and that will soon be followed by Get Living’s 700 homes off High Street.
Both are perfectly positioned to house many of those who will want to work in the IFSD or in the recently launched City Innovation District in and around the University of Strathclyde.
Mixed use developments include PLATFORM’s Central Quay, the ongoing work at Collegelands on the edge of the Merchant City, Chris Stewart Group’s George Street Complex – and on the north side of the M8, the City Council’s Sighthill regeneration and Scottish Canals’ admirable Canal Project.
Further out we have Peel Ports’ plans for a major retail outlet district at Glasgow Harbour, close to the Riverside Museum.
Should you need any further encouragement about Glasgow’s current and future success, can I suggest you Invest Glasgow’s six-minute film the city’s delegation proudly took earlier this year to the annual MIPIM property market in France.
For the city and for the Chamber of Commerce there is an increasingly positive story to tell, the narrative of Glasgow’s growing success.
Richard Muir, is Deputy Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
August 2019
