The £1.2bn (US$2.1bn, 1.8bn euro) plan to regenerate Glasgow’s waterfront into a tourist destination in Scotland with a supercasino and leisure facilities has been revised.
More than 30 hectares of the original 52-hectare masterplan have been redesigned following a re-evaluation of the site’s potential.
The amended plans now propose 27,400sq m (295,000sq ft) of additional retail space, a 200-bed, five-star hotel with views of the Clyde from all bedrooms; a 30-storey residential tower with basement quayside restaurant; a family leisure area; a casino complex and a Riverside Museum.
The family leisure area will feature a ‘children’s world’ education and learning centre, a family entertainment centre and a 10-screen cinema.
The casino complex, which would be operated by Las Vegas-based MGM Mirage, will provide a central entertainment venue, a sports pub and restaurant, three international standard signature restaurants, a food court, a coffee bar and a delicatessen.
The central focus of the waterfront development, however, will be Glasgow Harbour Square, which will be linked by a pedestrian footbridge to Events Square – the entrance and exhibition piazza to the Riverside Museum.
The Riverside Museum will be 3,000sq m (37,270sq ft) larger than originally planned. The museum – designed by Zaha Hadid – will front a public square located at the junction of the River Kelvin and River Clyde.
Lindsey Ashworth, development director of developer Peel Holdings, said: “This development will create a vibrant new quarter for the people of Glasgow to enjoy, with many new jobs, homes, business opportunities and leisure facilities in a spectacular waterfront setting.
“We have a proven track record of world-class, award-winning regeneration projects, with particular expertise in waterfront sites. We look forward to delivering a scheme of national and international importance and making Glasgow Harbour an exciting place to live, work and relax.”
The revised outline planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council, which is reportedly cautious of granting full permission because of the possible impact on city-centre business.
Furthermore, the casino complex depends upon the scheme winning the sole supercasino licence for the UK. Current rivals for the licence include Rangers FC, which has already received council backing for its plans, the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre in Glasgow, and Blackpool.
Peel Holdings expects the complex to attract an additional two million visitors to Glasgow each year and generate £89m annually. Details: www.peelholdings.co.uk
