Plans for garden apartment oasis in Merchant City  

29/03/2022
An image of the proposed rooftop development in Glasgow

AWARD winning property developer Artisan Real Estate has today revealed designs for a mixed use development, featuring low carbon homes, for a site at 65-97 Ingram Street in Glasgow, following an initial public consultation.

The development, on land which is currently a temporary car park, will feature four distinct buildings varying in height from four to six storeys.   The exterior façade for each building reflects the scale and architecture of neighbouring properties which vary in heritage and height.  The proposed stepped designs, featuring modern sustainable materials, will enable communal roof terraces accessible on different levels.

109 sustainable new homes are planned – with ground floor commercial space fronting onto Ingram Street and affording views through to a garden oasis.  Properties include a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments and will benefit from striking communal landscaped roof gardens and terraces.

At the heart of the development will be a publicly accessed landscaped garden courtyard.  Artisan has appointed specialist landscape designers to ensure final proposals enhance the local biodiversity through raised planting beds featuring native pollinating species, trees, lawns, plots to grow vegetables, bird boxes and bee keeping on extensive private and communal roof terraces, alongside a combination of paths and seating areas.

The calming garden oasis within the public courtyard space will also create a rich, natural experience for both residents and visitors with native wildflowers and planting, alongside relaxing seating areas, specialist lighting and public artwork sympathetic to the site’s historic setting and conservation status, as well as aligning with the existing Merchant City Art Trail.  

More than 700 people engaged in the first round of consultation with an overwhelmingly positive response to the proposals as well strong support for encouraging more people to live in the city centre. 

A spokesman for Artisan Real Estate said, “We knew the location of this development which borders on key city streetscapes including Ingram Street, Albion Street and Candleriggs, demanded an impressive design statement and we believe our proposals deliver this.

“We’ve spent a long time ensuring we’ve considered every aspect of design and believe our proposals will provide a dynamic and innovative contribution to the Merchant City.  

“This second round of consultation kicks off on Tuesday 29th March with a drop in event from 3pm-7pm at Merchant Square, followed by a livechat from 3pm-7pm online at www.65-97ingramstreet.co.uk   We would like feedback on this key stage of the design process by 10th April.”

Designed by architects AMA studio, the sustainable homes will feature the very latest green credentials, based on the design mantra of “use less energy first”, from the use of materials throughout the build to the design features such as fabric performance, low use water fittings to manage consumption and particular heat and energy provision.  All energy will be renewable with no fossil fuels and clean heat pump technology adopted.   This sustainable approach will be in keeping with Glasgow City Council’s recognised Gold Standard which also compliments sustainable urban design by creating places to live and work in city centres on brownfield sites.

Supporting the city’s net zero ambitions, no car parking spaces are planned however, residents will be provided with secure bike spaces and access to the city car club.

The proposed commercial space will accommodate up to four separate units ranging in size from 1,750 sq ft to 2,750 sq ft and will be suitable for a range of work, retail or café uses.

Artisan is an award-winning UK property developer and is proud to create places that people want to live, work and spend time in.  

The company focuses on delivering low carbon developments in thriving city centres such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol and Leeds and bring togethers more than 30 years of experience in office, retail, industrial, leisure and residential developments.  

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