Developers sought for Glasgow fire station site that could provide hundreds of homes and student flats

Developers are being sought for the chance to deliver what is being billed as Glasgow city centre’s “largest living sector opportunity”.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service complex at Cowcaddens is soon to be vacated with the brigade moving its existing facilities to new modern purpose-built developments.

Prior to being launched to the market by property firm JLL, the site received planning permission through the city council for it to be repurposed for a variety of residential uses, which could lead to the building of some 1,250 homes in the heart of the city.

An aerial view showing the site that is earmarked for redevelopment in the Cowcaddens area of Glasgow.

JLL noted that the site benefited from planning permission in principle, meaning there is no set unit mix. The final make-up of the site, which stretches to some 4.4 acres, can be decided by any potential developer, with options including build-to-rent (BTR), private residential or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), as well as retail and leisure uses.

Property experts at the firm described Cowcaddens as a thriving cultural hub within the city. It is home to institutes such as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, alongside a wealth of local amenities. They noted that the area also benefits from strong transport links with the city’s subway, Buchanan bus station and Glasgow Central station all located within a short distance.

Over the past decade, the area has undergone extensive regeneration to establish it as one the city’s emerging hotspots. This includes the £250 million North Bridge development - the largest project of its kind in the UK outside of London - that will bring forward more than 1,000 homes, a new community school campus and public parkland.

Nina Stobie, residential and development land director at JLL, said: “Glasgow’s residential market has made major progress in recent years and following the Scottish government’s recent decision to exempt BTR schemes from rent caps, we predict an increase in residential investment and developer activity in what represents a sought after, under supplied market.

“As one of Glasgow’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Cowcaddens is well positioned to be at the forefront of this growth, with the fire station representing a rare opportunity to deliver housing at scale within the city centre. We look forward to working with developers to help bring this vision to fruition.”

In November, a £160m masterplan was hatched to reinstate Glasgow’s Chinatown as a “thriving neighbourhood and cultural destination”. The plans would “comprehensively reimagine” the site located on New City Road in Cowcaddens.

The site, home to the Chinatown complex opened in 1992 as a celebrated hub for shopping and dining, played a significant role in the city’s cultural landscape. However, over the past decade, the area has declined and is now ready for revitalisation, developers said.

New City Burnside - a joint venture between Keltbray Developments and the current owners of Glasgow Chinatown - is backing the transformation proposals.

The masterplan outlines a mixed-use development, introducing new residential apartments and student accommodation alongside “high-quality retail and leisure space”. It would also introduce dedicated areas designed to host events, markets and “cultural celebrations”.