Friday August 14th 2026
The former Herald and Glasgow Times office on Renfield Street could make way for new student and co-living accommodation
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
A city centre office block could be demolished to make way for a 20 storey high development offering student flats and co-living homes.
Plans for the Renfield Street site include relocating a C-listed fountain and potential space for shops and restaurants or other uses.
The proposal for the former Herald and Glasgow Times newspaper office in Renfield Street is set to go before councillors next week.
There are to be student flats with 381 beds in a 20 storey high rise building. Another 12 storey block would house the co-living accommodation with 167 homes planned. Co-living involves people having a private bedroom and sharing spaces such as kitchens.
A council report said the development from applicant MRP 200 Ren Limited has been constrained by SPT Subway tunnels running through the site – meaning the taller buildings had to be “placed either side of this.”
Designs also show a new public square and plaza and there would also be two large lawns with seating and trees. The fountain is to be retained and there are to be play areas for children.
The application has sparked nine objections and attracted five letters of support.
Concerns raised by objectors include a reduction in privacy for neighbours, increased wind impacts and over provision of student accommodation in the area.
Letters of support pointed out that the plan will help with repopulation of the area and stimulate economic activity.
Glasgow City Council planners are recommending the plan is approved with councillors are due to consider the application at the planning committee next week.
A council report said: “The application site is located within an area undergoing positive change, representing an opportunity to bring a vacant site back into productive use and contribute to the re-population of the City Centre.
“The proposed student accommodation and co-living development will deliver high-quality residential buildings with shared amenity spaces and provide significantly improved public realm to the locality through the “Arts Square” and the re-imagined lane network.
“The scheme respects the site’s context in a prominent city centre location and addresses environmental constraints through careful design.”
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