Glasgow shopping centre set to escape demolition

There's been a change of heart on plans to tear down Glasgow's Buchanan Galleries shopping centre.

Two years ago developers said they planned to replace the mall at the top of Buchanan Street and create a new residential district, and produced artists impressions for a series of consultation events.

Now Landsec they say there's been a rethink because the retail sector has picked up, and the existing building - which joins on the Royal Concert Hall - will be at the heart of revised plan.

Nick Davis, Head of Retail Development said: “Given the way cities have changed, and retail’s strong post pandemic recovery, we’re exploring a masterplan that can be delivered in incremental phases and are re-focusing the first phase of our vision in rejuvenating Glasgow’s prime retail destination.

“In conversations with brands, and through engagement with the public, we know that there is both consumer and commercial appetite for this to be delivered and delivered quickly. With this in mind, we will shortly be bringing forward the first phase of a renewed vision for the transformation of Buchanan Galleries."

'Cheaper and less disruptive'

“We recognise the need for investment at the top end of Buchanan Street and the advantage of retaining and investing in the existing building means we can deliver more quickly for Glasgow’s community, whilst being less disruptive and less carbon intensive than our previous proposal.”

“We believe that over time we can create a new city centre district, anchored by the Galleries that responds to the way people want to live, shop and work. To facilitate this multi-phase masterplan approach, we have recently purchased 229-249 Buchanan Street adjacent to the Galleries – reaffirming our commitment to the city.”

There's been a change of heart on plans to tear down Glasgow's Buchanan Galleries shopping centre.

Two years ago developers said they planned to replace the mall at the top of Buchanan Street and create a new residential district, with designs shown off at a series of public consulta

Now they say there's been a rethink because the retail sector has picked up, and the existing building - which joins on the Royal Concert Hall - will be at the heart of revised plan.

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