The ongoing revitalisation of Glasgow's waterfront is poised to take a major step forward with the submission of a detailed planning application for a 500-apartment build-to-rent development on the banks of the Clyde.

The project at Central Quay, on the iconic Broomielaw that runs along the River Clyde, is being led by PLATFORM_ – a major investor, developer and property manager across the UK – and will deliver high-quality, state-of-the-art homes to cater for a range of people living and working in the city.

Pending detailed planning consent, which is anticipated at the end of 2018, PLATFORM_ hopes to start construction of the apartments by the second quarter of 2019, with a scheduled completion date of summer 2021.

Initial planning in principal was granted for the seven-acre Central Quay site at the beginning of 2018 following a masterplan formulated by Harbert Management Corporation and XLB Property, together with Keppie and LDA Design.

Designed in partnership with award-winning architects Keppie, the development forms part of a wider masterplan at the Clydeside Central Quay area, which also includes 300,000 sq ft of office space and a 150 room hotel.

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The PLATFORM_ managed accommodation will offer one of Scotland's first build-to-rent opportunities, modelled on the successful and rapidly expanding concept first seen in London.

PLATFORM_'s apartments will provide residents with studios, one, two and three-bedroom homes alongside modern shared facilities including a co-working space – encapsulating flexible working – a shared residents' lounge, onsite-concierge, roof terraces, fully kitted-out gym and games room. The apartments will be designed and built to PLATFORM_'s specification which it has used in other sites across the UK, a modern development tailored to the local environment. 

PLATFORM_, which works at every stage of the property development cycle, has already built and operates a number of similar build-to-rent projects across the UK including schemes in Bedford, Bracknell, Crawley, Exeter, and Stevenage. PLATFORM_ is targeting the creation of 5,000 units within the next five years, including Glasgow and a similar development in Sheffield, and has a pipeline of 1,000 units currently in the planning stages.

Matt Willcock, Development Director at PLATFORM_, said: "Glasgow is thriving, and our new development aims to provide accommodation which meets the demands of its growing, highly-skilled and modern workforce. Build-to-rent is a rapidly growing concept around the UK and we're proud to offer one of the first developments in Scotland. It's a form of accommodation we expect to continue to see across the UK, and one which will play a significant role in helping Glasgow attract and retain talent to support its major economies.

"The site will help further regenerate the Finnieston and Clydeside areas, providing award-winning building design and living space in the heart of a popular, well-connected part of the city."

Richard MacDonald Director at Keppie Design said: "The PLATFORM_ Central Quay design has evolved to include an iconic feature tower which will greatly enhance the Clyde Waterfront and Glasgow's skyline. The high quality public realm and design of the scheme will also significantly improve the area.

"We look forward to being able to play a role in sustaining Glasgow's image as a destination city for living and working and being able to further contribute to Glasgow's Clydeside regeneration drive."

(MH/CM)