WILLOWBANK, GLASGOW

The Willowbank project is a stunning mix of conversion and new build offering 178 student beds to higher education students of various colleges and universities in Glasgow.

Located within the Woodlands Conservation Area in the city’s West End, CCG carefully restored the former Willowbank Primary School as well as constructing three new build blocks of apartments in an area that is immediately adjacent to the multi-award-winning Ballet School student housing development that was completed by CCG in 2014.

The Grade C Listed school building was constructed in 1900 and after its closure in 2010, fell into dilapidation with extensive repairs required internally as well as externally. A central atrium space provides a dramatic and dynamic hub for the congregation of students, with upper balconies providing access to spacious accommodation located within the former classrooms. The ground floor is complete with communal facilities to promote student integration.

The new build blocks take on a contemporary design. Block A acts as an infill to the existing tenements that line the western perimeter of the site on West Prince’s Street. The street elevation, in a buff sandstone finish, ties in with the existing street rhythm and building lines. Block C is adjacent to the school building and has been designed to respect the existing school but simultaneously offer a dynamic contemporary contrast whilst Block D creates a dynamic entrance at the side of the existing school, forming an internal street linking to the rear courtyard.

All apartments are provided are in a mix of single and double rooms as well as 3 and 5-bed cluster studios. Single studios have been carefully developed to provide a spacious and modern self-contained unit with an ensuite shower room, study desk, ample storage, lounge seating and a kitchen with breakfast bar seating. The cluster studios offer the same high-quality en-suite rooms with a shared kitchen and communal space

5% of the sleeping accommodation is accessible to wheelchair users.

Client:
Empiric Student Property

Value:
£10 million

Awards:
Scottish Home Awards 2017 Restoration of the Year