The £29.3 million first phase of the landmark social and affordable housing project in the city has transformed part of the iconic southside location into 136 high-quality affordable homes and 11 commercial units.

It also marks a significant milestone in the creation of a vibrant new mixed-use community amidst the Scotland-wide housing crisis which has hit the city hard.

Phase one includes 43 homes for social rent, 61 mid-market apartments and 32 New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) homes which are all now completed and full occupied.

New residents include a mix of key workers, given its proximity to the new Victoria Infirmary, the elderly, those requiring flexible and adaptable homes and families looking for larger accommodation. 

All residential blocks feature lifts, and 14 flats are wheelchair-adaptable, ensuring accessibility for residents of all abilities. Sanctuary Scotland manage all 103 homes within the first phase that are available for rent.

One happy resident of The Victoria apartments, Catherine Clarke, who moved into her home in March this year, said: “Moving to The Victoria has been such a positive change. I previously lived with my mum in a two-bedroom flat in Springburn, but after she sadly passed away, I was looking to downsize to somewhere that better suited my needs.

“My new one-bedroom apartment is ideal. It’s accessible, modern, and has everything I need right on my doorstep. The shops and amenities are just a short walk away, and the transport links into the city are excellent.

“I still like to keep active and often get my steps in around Queen’s Park, which is close by. What’s even better is that I’m now much closer to my family, which means a lot to me. The neighbourhood feels safe, my neighbours are lovely, and I’m grateful to be here.

“Moving to The Victoria has been a life changing experience for me.”

Another resident, Karen Noble Perrie, 61, who moved into her two-bedroom mid-market rent home in July of last year, said: “Having worked at the old Victoria Hospital, as a clinical support nurse for over a decade, this development holds a lot of fantastic memories for me.

“Our private landlord told us he was selling up which meant we were on the hunt for somewhere to live. When we saw Sanctuary were offering mid-market rented homes at The Victoria, it felt a bit like serendipity given my history with the location.

“The minute my husband and I saw the spacious apartment with its massive balcony, we had been offered, we snapped it up and haven’t looked back. Just a matter of weeks later, with the support of the fantastic team at Sanctuary, we were enjoying the views from our second-floor home and relishing in its amazing location. As a keyworker, its great commuter links make it ideal for me to get to work in the city.”

Nigel Wilcock, chair of Sanctuary Scotland, said: “These homes at The Victoria breathe new life into this historic site. We speak to our new residents daily, and so many of them are delighted with their new surroundings and the progress that’s being made in the creation of this vibrant and diverse new community.

“We would like to thank Glasgow City Council for supporting our vision and helping fund these accessible and affordable homes as we work together to help meet urgent housing shortages.

“Of course, these homes and this completed phase are part of a bigger picture for the site and today marks the real progress that’s already been made in reimagining this iconic part of Glasgow.”

Glasgow City Council contributed £15.7m to phase one, reinforcing its commitment to increasing affordable housing supply within the city.

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, city convener for Housing and Development at Glasgow City Council, said: “The redevelopment of the former Victoria Infirmary site has brought many new high-quality and much-needed homes to Glasgow, with a third of these being affordable flats for both social and mid-market rent, with some shared equity homes among these.

“As a result, the development – one the council provided over half of the development costs for – meets the needs of a wide range of people and families and enables home ownership for first-time buyers.

“We can look forward to the redevelopment of the remainder of the site contributing to the regeneration of the area and helping to meet the city’s housing needs.”

Phase two of the development is well underway with many residents now picking up their keys for the new build apartments with work progressing on the eagerly anticipated Nightingale Collection – the iconic former hospital buildings which have been uniquely restored – with early reservations now being taken through Sanctuary’s private home division, Beech Grove Homes.