Plans to demolish St Enoch Centre to be considered by council
Councillors will vote on the planned redevelopment of Argyle Street
Last updated 30th May 2023
Glasgow's St Enoch centre is facing demolition, as councillors vote on whether to redevelop the city centre area.
If plans are approved, the building could be replaced with housing, offices, and different retail areas.
The city council’s planning committee are considering the proposal, which would see buildings between 135-255 Argyle Street flattened in favour of the changes.
A council report said: “The application represents a significant opportunity to repair part of the city centre that currently exists as a mainly inward facing block with little engagement or connectivity to surrounding streets.”
Due to the scale of the plans, developers Sovereign Centros is seeking a 20 year planning, consent, but the council believes ten years to be a realistic goal.
The council have put the proposed change down to concerns about the sustainability of the current centre.
Their report went on to say: “Despite the extent of demolition proposed, the potential transformational benefits to the city centre in terms of re-population, placemaking, sustainability, air quality, biodiversity and health and wellbeing from the development, cannot be underestimated.”
The current plans could see as many as 802 new flats built, as well as a hotel of 160 rooms.
However, some buildings in the area which also face demolition include the A-listed Buck’s Head building, as well as the B-listed former Debenhams.
Sovereign Centros last year received permission to transform the Debenhams building into an office space and rooftop restaurant, which they say will safeguard its future.