Glasgow, Nottingham Propose Large Student Accommodation Developments

Plans have been submitted for significant student accommodation developments on former historic sites in Glasgow and Nottingham. In Glasgow, Carnegie Property Glasgow Ltd has proposed building 437 student beds, including 261 studios and 176 ensuite rooms, on the site previously occupied by the Old College Bar, which was demolished after a fire in 2021; the development would also feature commercial spaces and amenities such as a roof terrace and gym, aiming to revitalize a prominent but vacant city center location. The Old College Bar, once mistakenly believed to date back to the 1500s, attracted notable visitors like chef Anthony Bourdain before its closure. In Nottingham, developer JGM (Nottingham) Ltd plans to convert the vacant Damad House, a former mill building, into up to 71 student accommodation units with 136 bedrooms, combining cluster flats and studios, while demolishing some sections for new construction; although the site has been vacant since 2018, no active businesses have shown interest due to building unsuitability and fire safety concerns. Both projects highlight efforts to repurpose long-vacant urban sites into high-quality student housing, with local authorities reviewing the proposals for approval. These developments aim to enhance urban vitality and address the demand for student accommodation in key city center locations.