Latest news with #GoldenZ
The Herald Scotland
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New flagship art gallery opening in historic city square
Located in the city's Royal Exchange Square, the new space is set to become a vibrant cultural destination for art lovers and collectors alike. Surrounded by luxury brands, fine dining and cultural landmarks, including The Ivy, Vivienne Westwood and the Gallery of Modern Art, the gallery offers a prime location in one of Glasgow's most iconic settings. Housed within a beautifully restored historic building dating back to the late 1700s and set across two spacious floors, the gallery provides a stylish, welcoming environment in which to explore an ever-evolving portfolio of modern and contemporary art from The Connor Brothers, Mr. Brainwash and Danielle O'Connor Akiyama to Philip Gray and Fabian Perez. READ MORE: Scottish town shopping centre sold ahead of major redevelopment At last, Glasgow's once-thriving Golden Z of shopping streets are coming back to life Clarendon Fine Art in Glasgow will showcase a diverse range of artworks, from limited editions and sculptures to original pieces by some of the world's most exciting emerging talents and renowned modern masters. Visitors can also benefit from personalised art consultation services, expert guidance, and exclusive access to exciting launch events and artist appearances. Helen Swaby, Owner and CEO of Clarendon Fine Art, said: 'We are thrilled to be opening this gallery in Glasgow. The new gallery reflects our commitment to making exceptional art accessible and engaging, offering both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers a truly inspiring experience. "We look forward to becoming part of Glasgow's vibrant creative community.' Clarendon Fine Art invites guests to celebrate the official gallery launch on Thursday, August 21, from 7pm to 9pm. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception and live entertainment while discovering a fresh, immersive way to experience art in the heart of the city. To RSVP for your space, keep an eye on the Clarendon Fine Art website:
The Herald Scotland
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
These are the latest plans at the Glasgow School of Art. Really?
The latest example of the anywhere factor – a particularly egregious example – is the plan for the site on Sauchiehall Street down the hill from the Glasgow School of Art. Until a few months ago, it was where the old ABC cinema was but there was a fire you'll remember – always a fire – and there's been discussion ever since about what should go up in its place. This week we got a look at what it might be. Prepare yourselves. From the front, it's very like the buildings I saw in Bath Street and Bolton: an anywhere building built with anywhere steel and anywhere bricks. The plan is for 356 student flats with food halls and cafes underneath and the developers, Vita, say it'll 'generate economic benefits, re-energise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions'. But we know what's going on here really: cheapo student flats allow for maximum profit in a way better quality accommodation wouldn't, partly because of rent controls, and so that's what we get: cheapo student flats. But here's where the anywhere factor kicks in. Out on the edges of the city, or in a place where there are lots of other modern buildings, the flats proposed for Sauchiehall Street might be OK – bland but OK. But the building isn't just anywhere – it's slap bang in front of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, or what's left of it after the fire and the second fire (always a fire). If there's any site that needs careful consideration for the context, heritage and history, then this is it. Read more Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School | The Herald No more Edinburgh Book Festival for me – where did it all go wrong? A Scottish legend says cancel culture is over. Yeah right A Pride hate crime on Arran? No, just a sign of where we are now The developers appear to think the space they've designed behind the flats and in front of the School of Art will mitigate the new building's size and effect and have created pictures of people strolling around it on a sunny day. Firstly, sunny day: hah. Secondly, in a letter in The Herald today, the architect Alan Dunlop says he's looked at the images and believes you might get sunlight into such a space but only in high summer and only if you removed four or five of the storeys from the front of the buildings. It means, in his view, that the images of the sunlit public space are misleading. The fact that Glasgow planners have recommended the plans for approval is also an indication the council still isn't getting the balance right between protecting and enhancing the built heritage and trying to find an economic model for the city centre. Developers are building many flats to accommodate thousands of students – and to some extent that's fair enough, the number of students in Glasgow has increased and there's a shortage of accommodation. But speak to anyone in academia and they'll you the university model built on lots of international students paying big fat fees is under strain and in some cases, collapsing. So what happens when the student numbers start to drop again? More specifically, what happens to buildings such as the student flats proposed for down the hill from the Art School? Penny Macbeth, the director of the school, has acknowledged in her response to the proposal that there will be some economic benefits but she also points out that economic benefits have to be balanced against the longer-term impacts. She says the gap site is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform an important part of the city. She also says the reconstruction of Mackintosh's masterpiece as a working art school will bring economic, social, cultural and regeneration benefits to the city. But the second depends on the first: the benefits depend on the transformation being sensitive, balanced, proportionate and part of a wider coherent plan for a conservation area and I see no signs of any of it I'm afraid. As Professor Macbeth says, the opportunity is there. You have a site just below the Art School that has Garnethill on one side and Blythswood, Glasgow's New Town, on the other and it could be a very elegant place indeed. One option would be to create a public square but even if that was considered unviable, you could certainly revise the flats proposal to ensure it had less of a detrimental impact. Professor Macbeth says she believes a solution could be found which delivers financial viability for the developers while mitigating the impact on the Art School and the city's built heritage. The Art School (Image: Newsquest) So with that in mind, here are a few factors for councillors to consider before they take the final decision tomorrow. Firstly, how important are the student flats long-term? The 356 students (probably more) living in the 356 student flats won't pay any council tax; the student bubble is also going to burst at some point soon, so what happens then? The short-term benefits also have to be balanced against the longer-term legacy: creating a public space that enhances the city's built heritage – including its most famous building. And remember the anywhere factor: this is an important part of Glasgow so the buildings that go up there should feel like Glasgow, and make Glasgow better. We know this is how lots of influential people see it: over 130 individuals and organisations have objected to the plans including Historic Environment Scotland, The Mackintosh Society and many others, and they're all saying pretty much the same thing: these plans are too big, they have little architectural merit, and they will have an adverse effect on a conservation area and the appreciation and setting of the masterwork of an architectural mastermind. I think that's more than enough to say: stop. But I fear that when the decision is taken, the council will say: go. Where's the bigger plan though? I walked round Blythswood recently with the historian Graeme Smith who's written a fine book about the area, and one of the points he made was that there's been no clear leadership on the place and no wider strategy. If such a strategy existed – a strategy to create a fine public space that showcases the Art School and reflects Glasgow's heritage, a place where people want to linger – we could decide, case by case, whether any new buildings fit with the plan. Perhaps a revised version of the Sauchiehall Street flats would fit. But at it stands, the current plan raises only one important question: why are we building an anywhere building in somewhere that really matters?
The Herald Scotland
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow O2 ABC plans recommended despite 'negative impact'
The document also states that 'the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area'. But, the recommendation concludes that 'this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site'. The document details plans for a mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more. New images illustrating proposals for the site of the former ABC music venue building on Sauchiehall Street were unveiled on Friday: New O2 ABC plan concepts revealed today (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. Moving from day into night, the food hall would become an events space featuring music, entertainment, and a community hub. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage. (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact' (Image: Supplied) The proposals have the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber has welcomed the plans and said: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year. O2 ABC site branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) The former cinema turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilt over onto its roof in July 2018.
Glasgow Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact'
This is despite the planning document admitting that the plans have a 'significant issue of the negative impact on the Conservation Area'. The document also states that 'the scale of the proposed development would overall not be considered to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of Listed Buildings and the Conservation Area'. But, the recommendation concludes that 'this negative impact is considered to be outweighed by the significantly positive impact of developing this site'. The document details plans for a mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more. New images illustrating proposals for the site of the former ABC music venue building on Sauchiehall Street were unveiled today: New O2 ABC plan concepts revealed today (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. The ground-floor food hall would provide space for five emerging food brands, with over 400 covers and a large bar. Moving from day into night, the food hall would become an events space featuring music, entertainment, and a community hub. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage. (Image: Vita Group) (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals James Rooke, Planning Director for Vita Group, who has successfully created other new sites in Glasgow, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. "It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop, and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact' (Image: Supplied) The proposals have the support of a wide range of stakeholders, including local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce. Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of the Chamber has welcomed the plans and said, 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. "There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much-needed investment, which would be transformational.' The Glasgow Times previously reported that locals branded the historic Glasgow music venue an 'eyesore'. The half-demolished O2 ABC site has been dormant for months after initial demolition works were completed at the end of last year. READ MORE: No answer for Glasgow residents over rats at the O2 ABC O2 ABC site branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) The former cinema turned nightclub had lain derelict since the second Glasgow School of Art fire spilt over onto its roof in July 2018.
STV News
12-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
What do new plans for former O2 ABC site look like after devastating fire?
Planners have revealed new images as part of a transformation of Glasgow's former O2 ABC music venue, with proposals set to be approved. Vita Group applied to transform the Sauchiehall Street site into a student accommodation development complete with a food hall and a courtyard events space. The plans are to be considered by Glasgow City Council next week, with planning officials recommending approval for the site. However, Historic Environment Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art are among 130 objectors to the proposals. They argue the new building would have a 'significant adverse impact' on views from the fire-damaged Rennie Mackintosh building. Vita Group New plans for the former ABC building in Glasgow. Vita Group The former nightclub and concert venue, which dates back to 1875, was served a demolition notice over fears it posed a threat to public safety in October 2024. The building has lain derelict in the city centre since it was severely damaged by a fire that started at the Glasgow School of Art in 2018. Vita says the development will bring £70m of investment to Sauchiehall Street. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces comprising of 306, four, five and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge, and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges and cycle storage. STV News The current state of the derelict building. James Rooke, planning director for Vita Group, said: 'We believe our proposals offer a unique approach to student living and the benefits the development will bring extend far beyond the student community. 'It will generate significant economic benefits, will help to reenergise Sauchiehall Street and contribute to the city's Golden Z ambitions. 'This is an incredibly challenging site to redevelop and we've worked hard to create proposals that are deliverable and appropriate.' Stuart Patrick, chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce, said: 'It is critical that this key site is brought forward for development as soon as possible. 'There's no doubt it's been a blight on Sauchiehall Street, and we need to secure this much needed investment which would be transformational.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
