01 May 2025
Global real estate advisor CBRE advised City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP on the sale of a landmark 1.28-acre site at 20 India Street, Glasgow. Acquired by Vita Group, the site will be developed into a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) complex.
Planning permission for the site was granted by Glasgow City Council in December 2024 and will see the creation of 591 PBSA apartments. Designed by architect, Sheppard Robson, the development will transform the site of the former Strathclyde Regional Council office, which has lain vacant since 2015, into a vibrant residential and community hub.
Amenities at the new neighbourhood will include social and study spaces, a gym, café-style lounges with extensive glazing to create a striking frontage and an on-site operations team delivering regular events, housekeeping, and 24/7 security. Planning permission also includes a block of 20 affordable housing units with private gardens, helping to address the ongoing demand for social homes in the city.
Residents will also benefit from a secure, enclosed courtyard and two landscaped roof terraces, providing generous private external amenity space. Vita Group has already commenced works on site, with completion anticipated in 2027.
Andrew Johnston, Asset Manager at City Property Glasgow (Investments) LLP, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the sale of 20 India Street to Vita Group. This area of the city has seen major investment recently and this development will contribute significantly by transforming a site which has been vacant for ten years and providing sought after student accommodation. This transaction contributes to the growth of opportunity and prosperity for Glasgow and helps City Property in achieving our ambition to positively invest in the city’s economy.
“We’d like to thank our agents, CBRE for their work on this transaction, as well as John Meehan and the legal team at Harper MacLeod. We look forward to seeing Vita Group’s development take shape over the coming months.”
David Smith, Executive Director at CBRE, said: “We are pleased to have advised City Property Glasgow in this landmark transaction. The redevelopment of 20 India Street represents a key milestone in the regeneration of Charing Cross, transforming a vacant site into a vibrant new community that will importantly deliver much-needed new homes and increase footfall in this area of the city.
“To drive impactful regeneration and stimulate economic growth in the city, innovative and strategic developments like this are essential.”
Mark Oakes, Chief Commercial Officer at Vita Group said: “Over the last 12 months we’ve been working with the local community, councillors and a broad spectrum of stakeholders to shape the plans for 20 India Street, breathing new life into this brownfield site with plans for affordable housing, student accommodation and new commercial opportunities at this important site.
Vita’s existing Glasgow building on Beith Street is currently already ahead of the lettings curve for the 25/26 academic year, demonstrating the strong demand for our product in the city.
The new development emphasises our further commitment to Glasgow and aims to help alleviate some of the pressures felt across the city as a result of Glasgow’s growing population and lack of available housing types.”
