Architecture firm PagePark has secured approval from Glasgow City Council's planning applications committee for a major residential development that will bring 100 new homes to the city. The seven-story building will be constructed at 134 Nithsdale Drive, marking a significant addition to Glasgow's housing stock.
The development site, currently owned by car dealer Arnold Clark, was most recently utilized as a temporary compound by Network Rail during nearby electrification infrastructure projects. According to planning documents, Arnold Clark plans to sell the land along with the approved residential development permits. PagePark, which operates offices in both Glasgow and Leeds, will oversee the construction of the new residential complex.
The approved development will include a diverse mix of housing options designed to meet various residential needs. The building will feature 83 two-bedroom apartments, 10 one-bedroom units, and seven three-bedroom homes. In addition to the residential units, the development will incorporate dedicated parking facilities and communal amenity spaces for residents.
The architectural design emphasizes the use of high-quality materials and thoughtful aesthetic elements. The building will feature facing brick construction, complemented by a precast string course running along the terrace elevation. Metal cladding systems will be incorporated into the roof terraces and areas between dormers, creating a modern yet contextually appropriate appearance.
The current approved design represents a significantly refined version of the original proposal, incorporating feedback from the Glasgow Urban Design panel review conducted three years ago. Key modifications included reducing the overall building footprint to create more open amenity areas for residents. Additionally, the architects eliminated a proposed amenity deck, instead relocating these facilities to the lower ground floor level.
PagePark emphasized that their design strategy focused on creating a strong civic presence along Nithsdale Drive. The architectural firm explained that the façade incorporates a distinct three-part composition featuring a base plinth, middle section, and articulated top floor, all connected by continuous precast string courses. This design approach ensures alignment with the existing tenement properties located across the street, maintaining neighborhood character while introducing contemporary elements.
The upper floors showcase particularly innovative design features, with the fourth floor articulated as a series of brick dormer bays strategically positioned between sections of metal cladding. The metal cladding treatment continues at the fifth floor level, where it frames a recessed roof terrace that provides additional outdoor space for residents.
Planning documentation highlights how inset balconies within the south-facing façade serve dual purposes of activating the building's street presence while providing practical passive shading for the living spaces of numerous apartments. This design approach reflects contemporary sustainable building practices while enhancing resident comfort.
The architects drew inspiration from Glasgow's rich architectural heritage, particularly the work of renowned local architect Alexander Greek Thomson. PagePark specifically cited Thomson's masterful use of solid and void relationships at 1-10 Moray Place, a distinguished 19th-century terrace located opposite Nithsdale Drive, as a key influence on their design approach.
The design team explained their reinterpretation of Thomson's characteristic style, stating: "We have reinterpreted this characteristic using the three-bay grid of brick to the east and west elevations to address the wide aspect at the key junctions at opposite ends of Nithsdale Drive, while maintaining a cleaner area to the sides." This approach demonstrates how contemporary architecture can respectfully engage with historical precedents.
The planning approval process concluded with city planning officers determining that the development fully complies with relevant policies outlined in Glasgow's development plan. However, the approval comes with specific conditions and requires a legal agreement securing a financial contribution of £92,200 from the developer, funds that will likely support local infrastructure and community amenities.
This approval comes during a period of renewed attention to Glasgow's architectural heritage, particularly the work of Alexander Greek Thomson. Earlier this year, Glasgow City Council considered compulsory purchase of Thomson's historic Egyptian Halls after a private acquisition bid failed. The 153-year-old building has since been placed on the market as a development opportunity by the city council, highlighting ongoing efforts to preserve and adaptively reuse the city's architectural treasures.
