Osborne+Co gains consent for Glasgow’s Met Tower revamp

Developer Osborne+Co has won approval from Glasgow City Council to build a £100m office and hotel scheme at the former City of Glasgow College building, known as the Met Tower. The plans, submitted in April last year, include 120,000 sq ft of Grade-A office space over 14 floors on North Hanover Street. An existing “podium” building facing Cathedral Street will make way for a 260-bedroom hotel across 11 floors, which would connect to the Met Tower via a landscaped plaza. The developer said it was “confident” the space will attract tech occupiers in particular, as it is close to schemes such as the University of Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre and Inovo buildings. In total, the mixed-use development will represent a £100m investment from Osborne+Co. Will Hean, development director at Osborne+Co, said: “The Met Tower is intrinsic to Glasgow’s identity and we’ve worked closely with key stakeholders to ensure that our final proposal complements the surrounding area and provides dynamic indoor and outdoor space, which will capitalise on its central location beside Queen Street train station. “Achieving planning consent comes at a critical time in the real estate market, which continues to be challenged because of the coronavirus pandemic. Despite this, we are committed to investing significantly in Glasgow as we recognise the strength and diversity of the Glasgow economy. Glasgow’s tech sector in particular will be significant as the economy works its way back to strength.” Stuart Patrick, chief executive at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said it marked a “strong sign of continued investor confidence in the long-term future of Glasgow city centre”. The firm is also building JP Morgan’s new European technology hub on Argyle Street. Savills and Ryden have been appointed as the Met Tower’s joint letting agents. To send feedback, e-mail pui-guan.man@egi.co.uk or tweet @PuiGuanM or @estatesgazette Pictures courtesy of Osborne+Co