The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Complex at Cowcaddens is soon to be vacated, with the Service moving its existing facilities to new modern purpose-built developments. Prior to marketing, the site received planning permission from Glasgow City Council for it to be repurposed for a variety of residential uses, providing a rare opportunity to create over 1,250 new homes in the heart of the city.

The site benefits from Planning Permission in Principle, meaning there is no set unit mix. The final make-up of the 4.4-acre site can be decided by any potential developer, with options including build-to-rent (BTR), private residential or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), as well as retail and leisure uses.

Within walking distance of Glasgow’s city centre, Cowcaddens is a thriving cultural hub within the city. It is home to institutes such as The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, alongside a wealth of local amenities. It also benefits from strong transport links with Cowcaddens subway, Buchanan bus station and Glasgow Central station all located within a short distance.

Over the past decade, the area has undergone extensive regeneration to establish it as one of the city’s most exciting hotspots. This includes the £250 million North Bridge development – the largest project of its kind in the UK outside of London – that will bring forward over 1,000 new homes, a new community school campus and public parkland.

Nina Stobie, residential and development land director at JLL, said: “Glasgow’s residential market has made major progress in recent years and following the Scottish Government’s recent decision to exempt BTR schemes from rent caps, we predict an increase in residential investment and developer activity in what represents a sought after, under supplied market.

“As one of Glasgow’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, Cowcaddens is well positioned to be at the forefront of this growth, with the fire station representing a rare opportunity to deliver housing at scale within the city centre. We look forward to working with developers to help bring this vision to fruition.”