Developer announces BTR project near Glasgow's Mitchell Library

The team behind what it says was Glasgow’s first major city centre build-to-rent (BTR) housing development has delivered another multi-million-pound project of the same kind – and is eyeing similar ventures.

Mitchell Apartments comprises a seven-storey, 20 flat development in Finnieston. Picture: contributed.

Mitchell Apartments is the most recent development by Kelvin Properties, which previously developed Candleriggs Court in Merchant City. Tenants will be able to move into the seven-storey, 20 flat development in Finnieston from early January. The apartments replace a disused church-turned-restaurant at 15 Kent Road, across the road from the Mitchell Library. Tenants are now able to apply for any of the 11 one-bedroom flats, or nine two-bedroom flats.

Kelvin Properties said it follows “unprecedented” demand for Candleriggs Court, which saw the entire development let within six weeks. The business’ MD Stephen McKechnie “became even more convinced that the BTR concept, which is hugely popular across England and Europe, could be the way forward for Glasgow’s property market”.

The apartments replace a disused church-turned-restaurant. Picture: contributed.

Glasgow’s City Centre Living Strategy outlines the city council’s aim to double the size of its city-centre population over the next 15 years to 40,000. Kelvin Properties is a development and property investment business, with has delivered other Glasgow developments including the Atrium in Broomhill and Sandringham Court in Newton Mearns.

McKechnie, who founded Kelvin Properties in 1999, said: “This is another hugely exciting development for us. I identified the site a couple of years ago and was absolutely convinced it would make for a great [BTR] project because of the close proximity to the city centre, the Finnieston Strip and the University of Glasgow.

“Currently, far fewer people live in our city centre than cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, but with demand for housing and the changing nature of offices and work, that has to change. We’re continuing to look for more BTR development opportunities in the city centre and the surrounding areas.”

Property investment, letting and management specialists Tay Letting let Candleriggs Court’s 36-apartments in six weeks. Director Marc Taylor expects similar appetite for Mitchell Apartments, whose offering includes bike spaces and balconies.

He said: “There is a huge demand for city living, particularly among millennials. This is ideally located between Finnieston and the city centre, with fantastic access to transport links.”

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