The project is designed to meet the growing need for high-quality student accommodation and co-living residential units in the local area.

Formerly the headquarters for the Daily Record and Sunday Mail newspaper, the brownfield regeneration site is planned to include three blocks with a total of 1,135 bedrooms, alongside a 3,700 sq. ft commercial unit.

Two of the blocks will accommodate Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) units, whilst the third will be allocated for co-living use. All three blocks will have their own management suites, ancillary and amenity features, landscaping and extensive public realm. 

The site forms part of Glasgow City Council’s 2024-2030 City Centre Strategy, which sets out to create a vibrant, well-connected place to live and work, with thriving and sustainable green spaces.

The site has been selected for its proximity to nine Glasgow educational institutions including the University of Glasgow, the University of Strathclyde, and Glasgow International College. It is also a 10-minute walk from Anderston station, and lies in close proximity to Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow Green and Glasgow city centre.

The first of the two PBSA blocks - the scheme’s landmark tower - comprises 551 bedrooms across 29 storeys above ground level and includes an outdoor rooftop terrace.

The second PBSA block will house 282 bedrooms within a ten-storey building above ground floor level and will also include accessible rooftop terraces. The connection of this building to the public realm walkways will create an active streetscape. 

The third block is a thirteen-storey building above ground level, and includes 302 co-living bedrooms, with communal lifestyle and supporting amenity spaces on every floor, and a ground floor commercial retail space. Occupiers will also have access to rooftop terrace amenity spaces.

The PBSA blocks propose a mixture of cluster flats, studios, and accessible bedrooms, whilst the co-living block will all be studios and accessible bedrooms. All three blocks will have extensive amenity facilities, including cycle storage, state-of-the-art gyms, games rooms, study spaces, laundries and round-the-clock site management, support and security.

Downing said the façades of each building pay homage to Anderston’s rich heritage. Red brick elements reflect the area’s industrial and textile past, while white brick serves as a nod to the former Daily Record building.

Ian Harrison, projects director at Downing, added: “Submission of plans for 40 Anderston Quay comes at an exciting time of growth at Downing. The scheme not only serves to further Downing’s presence in Glasgow, but also as our new landmark Manchester co-living development Square Gardens achieves 98% occupancy upon completion, clearly demonstrating the high demand for this type of accommodation amongst students and young professionals.

“With over 35 years of expertise creating high-quality living environments for students and local communities in vibrant university cities, we aim to enhance Anderston’s vibrant city centre location and university connections, support Glasgow City Centre’s 2030 vision, and help retain the UK’s and the world’s best students and young professionals.”

Sustainability is a key consideration for both the design and construction of the development, centring around key environmental and social aspects. Throughout construction, Downing will also look to support the local economy through the sustainable procurement of products and resources.

Each building will offer step-free access, a cycle lift and secure storage. The development is car-free and is well-connected, with several bus routes and National Cycle Route 75 located nearby. The floorplans have been designed with flexibility in mind, allowing the spaces to adapt to the evolving needs of the area.

The development combines traditional building materials with a high-performance facade design to reduce energy demand for heating and cooling. Heat pumps and Photovoltaic (PV) panels form a central part of the sustainable energy strategy, supporting the projects aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent. Rooftop terraces and ground level landscaping have been carefully designed to promote biodiversity, featuring native plant species and areas dedicated to wildflower planting.

Downing has also committed to delivering a comprehensive package of public realm improvements alongside the mixed-use development. This includes the creation of a public plaza, a pedestrian walkway to the east of the site, and enhanced landscaping to better connect the city centre with the riverfront. Public realm works also serve to promote active, accessible engagement and inclusive social connections within the community.