Scottish Cities Alliance

OVERVIEW

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is ranked in the top 100 of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2022). It is currently undergoing a £1 billion Campus Development Programme – Scotland’s biggest education development – including state of the art academic facilities as well as a Mixed-Use Quarter and Innovation Zone.

The University is one of the largest employers in the west of Scotland with more than 9,000 staff including 2,250 active researchers generating more than £168 million of research income per year. The University’s overall impact on Scotland’s GDP equates to around £509 million which includes 13,300 direct and indirect jobs (as of 2015).

With over 2,500 active researchers and with a long history of achievement, University of Glasgow researchers have transformed policy and practice, driven commercial innovations and shaped debate and understanding across a range of fields at every level—local, national and global. The University’s influence is only expected to grow over the years, as Glasgow-City Region was named as one of the three new Silicon Valley-style innovation accelerators that will back the local researchers and businesses with £100m government funding.  

The University of Glasgow features pioneering flagship research and innovation facilities including:

• £32m investment in the Imaging Centre of Excellence in the Clinical Innovation Zone (CIZ) within the QUEH, funded through the Glasgow City Region City Deal,
  • Development of the Lighthouse Laboratory within the QUEH In conjunction with industry partners and the NHS, which supported the UK and Scottish responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by processing over 22 million tests,
  • £38m collaboration led by the University of Glasgow in combination with the NHS to establish Clyde Waterfront Innovation Campus (CWIC) in Govan, and
  • James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC), Europe’s leading applied research cleanroom facility used by over 100 quantum technology, sensors, photonics and electronics companies worldwide.

THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW’S CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The 14-acre former Western Infirmary hospital site is under development as part of the University’s £1bn investment into a globally recognised iconic place of learning and research enhancing its position as a world-class institution.

The masterplan includes four major academic facilities: the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC), The Clarice Pears building (Institute of Health and Wellbeing), and the Adam Smith Business School and Post Graduate Teaching (PGT) Hub.

The new JMSLH accommodating more than 2,500 students was the first building to be delivered in April 2021, increasing learning and teaching capacity as well as generating more than £135 in social value and economic impact. The £116m Advanced Research Centre opened its doors on March 2022 and will be housing over 500 researchers, and Clarice Pears Institute of Health and Wellbeing is to complete in 2022. Construction of the Adam Smith Business School & Post Graduate Teaching Hub commenced in summer 2021, expected to be completed in 2023.

MIXED-USE QUARTER AND INNOVATION ZONE

In addition to over 82,000m² (883,000ft²) of academic space, the Campus Development programme will provide approximately 55,742m² (600,000ft²) of commercial and amenity uses which make up the Mixed-Use Quarter and Innovation Zone on Church Street.

The University is working in partnership with Glasgow City Council and Scottish Enterprise to bring together culture, creative industries, science and industry to this zone, and there is an opportunity for a joint venture (JV) partner to accelerate the delivery of the commercial and residential elements of the masterplan.

This major mixed-use development offers potential commercial investment opportunities including:

• Residential (incl student) – 14,500m²
• Hotel(s) – up to 12,500m²
• Retail – up to 4,000m²
• Sports and recreation – up to 500m²

Following the successful delivery of the Church Street, there would be redevelopment opportunity of other sites and buildings within the University estate, most likely to be developed for a range of residential and commercial uses including:

1. The redevelopment of Lilybank car park situated adjacent to Ashton Lane which is a prime leisure destination
2. The redevelopment of the existing Adam Smith Building on Gilmorehill which is a prime residential location
3. The conversion and redevelopment of the St Andrews Building on Eldon Street adjacent to Kelvingrove Park which is a prime residential and leisure destination.

GLASGOW RIVERSIDE INNOVATION DISTRICT

The University and its partners are collaborating with a wide range of small, medium and large innovative companies in fields such as precision medicine, clinical testing, MedTech, quantum technology and nanotechnology to advance Glasgow’s competitiveness in hi-tech industries of the future.

In order to boost such existing collaborations and encourage new ones within the industry, The University of Glasgow, in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council, has created the Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID). GRID is the centerpiece of a strategic corridor identified by the Scottish and UK Government as a national priority, consisting of existing facilities including the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe.

LOCATION

The University occupies over 70 acres of prime city campus in the West End of the city just 3 miles from the city centre and is served by excellent public transport options including subway, bus and rail. Just 7 miles from Glasgow International Airport, the University has easy access to London and some 120 international destinations.

The £1 billion Glasgow City Region Deal monies will further help transform the West End of Glasgow through providing improved streetscape and infrastructure, including a £27.5m investment for flood protection that unlocks vacant land and new bridges across the Clyde and Kelvin rivers. Enabling linking of the University district to tech-led developments on the south of the river.

CONTACT

Nicola Cameron
University of Glasgow
Director: Property Development and Investment
Nicola.Cameron.2@glasgow.ac.uk
+44 (0)7793 169 123

Bruce Patrick
Savills
Director, UK Development
bpatrick@savills.com
+44(0)7870 555 816

QUICK FACTS

Developer/development finance/co-investor/JV partner

This major mixed-use development offers potential commercial investment opportunities including:

• Residential (incl student) – 14,500m²
• Hotel(s) – up to 12,500m²
• Retail – up to 4,000m²
• Sports and recreation – up to 500m²
• Further redevelopment opportunities within university estate