New year, new custom

15 Dec 2005

The Scottish Executive have finally given the go-ahead for Custom House Quay in Glasgow, after a long process of referral. In August 2005, the proposal was sent to Historic Scotland due to the fact that the site is in a conservation area. Historic Scotland in turn passed the proposal on to the Executive, due to the fact that the site sits in a prominent position on the axis between Buchanan Street and the Clyde. It is also part owned by Glasgow City Council.

RMJM’s design for the prestige project in Glasgow’s city centre includes six residential buildings plus a landmark tower and a key worker building, which will provide a total of 388 one and two-bed apartments and penthouses.
RMJM plan for a public square at Buchanan Wharf have now been given the go ahead. The square will be located at the point where Buchanan Street promenade meets the river front, where people using the city are drawn to the site, and where the transport connections are congregated. RMJM design director Paul Stallan said: \"We are also creating a dynamic new public square at... Cathedral Square as well as a river walkway. These spaces will support new restaurants and specialist shops as well as public art.\"

The 50,000sq m building has a contract value of £200 million-plus and will be developed by Clydeside Properties Ltd with funding from Rodney Price, a major player in Australia. \"Our design team are excited about the opportunity to directly relate Glasgow city centre to its river by extending Buchanan Street down to the Clyde, creating a new shopping and entertainment district within the city and dramatically enhancing Glasgow\'s \'Ramblas\',\" said Stallan.

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