The restoration of a former Victorian school building in Glasgow’s West End is now underway –  with developer Kelvin Properties predicting ‘significant demand’ when sales of 49 apartments on the Napiershall Street site begin next year. 

The sensitive refurbishment of Napiershall Street School, which opened in 1900 and closed in the 1980s, means many key period features will be restored, including its central atrium and staircase.

While many of the 24 apartments will be converted former classrooms, an additional storey will add four stunning penthouses with large private terraces. 

Award-winning Glasgow-based urban regeneration specialists Kelvin Properties achieved full detailed planning consent earlier this year for the project, which include plans for a new-build development of an additional 25 apartments on the same site. 

The new building will feature a rooftop residents community garden designed for dining, wellness, and leisure. 

Kelvin Properties purchased the disused site from City Property. The school building itself most recently operated as offices – the Napiershall Street Centre. 

With building work now underway, the developer has targeted early 2025 for completion. 

Sales of 49 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments are set to launch in Spring next year. 

Andrew Duncan, land director at Kelvin Properties, said: “This development is central to our mission to invest and build in Glasgow, turning former buildings on brownfield sites in and around the city centre into thriving residential communities where it’s viable to do so. 

“The retention and sensitive restoration of the school building are integral to our plans which were unanimously approved by Glasgow City Council and received tremendous feedback at the planning committee.

“While the former school is not a listed building, we feel strongly that retaining this excellent, structurally sound, building, is the right thing to do. We are restoring many of the old school’s features which made this building so special, while developing new high-quality outdoor spaces, including the rooftop garden that will be key to fostering a thriving community within the development.

“Given the shortage of supply in Glasgow’s West End, we expect there to be significant demand when sales launch early next year.” 

The property has been designed by architects Haus Collective with sustainability in mind, with features including ample bike storage and EV charging stations to encourage more green modes of transport. A large green lawn with an area for planting, rainwater gardens, swift bricks, and flowering plants will also promote biodiversity. 

In addition to the rooftop residents’ garden, two children’s play areas will further promote community within the development. 

Previously, HAUS Collective director Murray Henderson described the preservation of the  Victorian building as the ‘gold standard’ for future applications. 

Meanwhile, properties at Kelvin Properties first Edinburgh development, 67 St Bernards in Canonmills, which has been described by Savills as one of Edinburgh’s most sought-after developments, are now available to buy.

• 59 new-build apartments with private balconies, roof garden and EV charging units set for Finnieston hot-spot
• Developer Nevis Properties believe focus on regenerating city centre brownfield sites will reduce need to build on vital greenbelt land
• Building designed to make city living more attractive in line with Glasgow Housing Strategy
• Project approved by Scottish Government after ‘no planning determination’ from local council

Nevis Properties has been given the green light for 59 sustainable apartments in Finnieston, Glasgow.

The modern, eight-storey development, at 131 Minerva Street, will house one, two and three-bedroom apartments that share a large residents’ roof terrace, a children’s play area, secure parking, and electric vehicle (EV) charging units.

The brownfield site currently houses a vacant office building and associated car park. It sits in an area of significant urban regeneration with high demand for sustainable new homes.

Developer, Nevis Properties, which is part of Kelvin Properties, submitted its proposal to Glasgow City Council (GCC) in October 2021. The plans, designed by architecture studio Haus Collective, focussed on excellent design and high quality usable external space for residents, along with a low-carbon energy strategy in line with Glasgow’s City Development Plan.

One year on from the submission, GCC had provided no planning determination, prompting ICENI to launch an appeal on Nevis Properties’ behalf, which then went to the Scottish Government to determine. The project was approved by the Scottish Government Reporter earlier this week.

Andrew Duncan, Land Director at Nevis Properties, said: “This is exactly the type of development that we believe is perfect for Glasgow – it will bring much-needed high quality homes onto a brownfield site helping to bring people back into the city, and promoting the use of more sustainable transport.

“It’s unfortunate that the delivery of new homes on the site has been delayed due to the need to go through an appeal process. We’re very glad that the Scottish Government profoundly agreed with the merits of our proposal, recognising the many benefits of this development for the people of Glasgow.

“We hope to work productively and collaboratively with Glasgow City Council in future to avoid the need for such appeals. We believe as a business we are well placed to help unlock the development potential from other brownfield sites within the city and in-doing so help Glasgow meet its housing objectives.”

Each apartment will boast at least one private terrace or balcony while residents will enjoy two large, outdoor shared garden areas: a residents’ garden and children’s play area on level one, and a roof terrace with panoramic views across Glasgow, cooking facilities and a growing area.

The site, at the corner of West Greenhill Place, has excellent public transport links with the Exhibition Centre train station on its doorstep and nearby cycle paths. The bars and restaurants on Argyle Street, AKA the ‘Finnieston Strip’, and Glasgow city centre are just a short walk away.

A selection of properties will be priced at a level to cater for first time buyers, as well as attracting young professionals.

Work is set to begin on the project later this year.

Kelvin Properties will begin work in late summer on the highly anticipated transformation of a former school in Glasgow’s West End into 49 new apartments.

The traditional Victorian sandstone Napiershall Street School, which opened in 1900, will be restored and converted into 24 apartments – including four penthouses. This will be complemented by an additional 25 new-build apartments nestled around the existing building.

The plans were approved by Glasgow City Council’s planning committee last month where the development proposal received some very positive feedback. 

It is the latest project in a major period of growth for urban regeneration specialists Kelvin Properties, which recently moved into its new office in Glasgow City Centre. The firm has announced plans to grow its team and has added a number of recent senior hires: Andrew Reid has joined as project manager from Keepmoat Homes, and Jonathan McCausland who has joined from CALA Homes as technical manager.

The Glasgow-based developer has also recently begun work on a 48-home development in Logie Green Road, Edinburgh, which as part of the development will provide 12 much needed affordable homes in the Canonmills area of the capital. 

All residents have now moved into Kelvin Properties’ Waverley Park development in Shawlands, after completion in January. 

Director Marc Taylor said: “We are delighted to receive planning committee approval to sensitively restore this old school building and create a development which will add to the local community. It’s fantastic to see such great design recognised at the planning committee. We believe this development will set the gold standard for sustainability and community building through the high-quality shared spaces we have created within the site. 

“This is a very exciting time for the business as we continue to look for more opportunities to bring future-focused developments across Central Scotland.

“There is a serious lack of new-build modern housing supply in Glasgow’s West End and we expect the location to be very attractive to prospective buyers.”

The Napiershall Street project serves as an example of the UK-wide desire for more retrofitting older, historic buildings, converting these often vacant spaces to make them suitable – and efficient – for modern-day living.  Within the school building, the former classrooms will be converted into high spec apartments and the design will restore all original features where possible, including the central atrium and stairs. There will be a variety of living spaces across the two buildings, including one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom penthouses with private terraces.

The communal outdoor spaces at Napiershall Street will feature a whole host of amenities for residents, including a children’s play area and also an incredible rooftop space designed to create the perfect environment for outdoor dining, socialising, exercise and wellness.

Bicycle parking will be provided for all residents, while eight of the 18 car parking spaces will have an active EV charging station to promote the use of electric cars.

Architecture studio Haus Collective were behind the plans for the development. 

Director Murray Henderson said: “We are committed to delivering residential and commercial developments of the highest quality standard that respond to contemporary society and lifestyle.

“Our development at Napiershall Street, receiving such a positive response from members of Glasgow City Council’s planning committee in preserving this Victorian building and being the ‘gold standard’ for future applications, is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team.”

“It has been a pleasure to work again with urban regeneration specialists Kelvin Properties and to bring this exciting project to this stage. We are looking forward to the transformation of this unique and historic site in Glasgow’s West End.”

Glasgow-based urban regeneration specialists, Kelvin Properties, has had their application validated to redevelop a traditional 1890s school building, which will bring 49 new homes to the city’s thriving west end.

The building, which has lain vacant for a number of years, will be converted into 24 properties including four penthouse apartments. Plans also include the development of a new L-shaped block within the grounds for 25 apartments.

In addition to high-quality living space, if approved, the proposed four-storey residential development would feature a whole host of amenities for residents, including an incredible rooftop residents’ garden designed to create the perfect environment for outdoor dining, socialising, exercise, and wellness.  

Residents will also benefit from children’s play areas, raised growing beds, herb gardens and several intimate “secret gardens”. 

Site history

The site closed as a school in the 1980s and has been used most recently as offices. The plans, which were submitted to the Glasgow City Council on Wednesday, August 10^th, detail how Kelvin Properties aims to convert the former Napiershall Street Centre to apartments while retaining its architectural features. 

The building will be developed with sustainability in mind. Kelvin Properties is planning to adopt a fully green energy source to power all the apartments. Residents will be encouraged to travel more sustainably, with bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging points provided for all residents. A total of eight active EV charging stations are also included as part of the plans.

What’s more, significant measures have been taken to enhance biodiversity, including bug hotels, bird, and bat boxes, pollinating plants, and a comprehensive tree planting strategy. 

A boost to the local economy

Marc Taylor, Director of Kelvin Properties, said: “Our plans will allow a community to flourish and reinvigorate an incredible building, while protecting the environment and boosting the local economy. 

“Glasgow’s west end continues to be a welcoming and highly attractive place to live and demand for properties continues to grow. We’re very pleased to have submitted plans for the redevelopment that would restore this stunning building to its former glory and provide much-needed high-quality homes in a fantastic location. Although the building isn’t listed, we will retain its fantastic architectural features. 

“We have also made sure to maximise outdoor space for the residents – we feel the rooftop space will be particularly attractive.”

Situated between Glasgow’s Great Western Road and Maryhill Road, the site is attractively located near some of the city’s most desirable amenities including Kelvingrove Park and University of Glasgow, and provides easy access to the city centre, motorway and two nearby Subway stations. 

The development is planned to get under way as early as Spring 2023 following planning consent being granted.

Kelvin Properties is behind several high profile and popular recent developments in Glasgow, including Waverley Park in Shawlands, which sold out in less than four weeks. 

The award-winning developer, which is headquartered at Charing Cross, just a stone’s throw from its Mitchell Apartments development, recently announced its first venture in Scotland’s capital.  A development on Logie Green Road, which will provide much-needed affordable housing in the Canonmills area of Edinburgh, is now underway. 

• Award-winning developer completes purchase of industrial unit set to be transformed into a thriving new residential community
• Kelvin Properties project ties in to Edinburgh City Council’s strategy to tackle the capital’s housing shortage by regenerating brownfield sites
• Sale of property will aid charity Four Square in its mission to help Edinburgh’s homeless
• Development will bring 48 new apartments including 25 per cent affordable homes and a fifth for families

AN award-winning Scottish developer renowned for transforming redundant buildings and urban brownfield sites into thriving residential communities has made its first move into the nation’s capital.

Urban regeneration specialist Kelvin Properties – the firm behind a string of coveted high-end residential developments in the firm’s native Glasgow – has completed the purchase of a site in Canonmills that was formerly home to a charity’s furniture warehouse, where it plans to build 48 new apartments including 12 affordable apartments. A fifth of the homes are larger three-bedroom properties suitable for families.

The Logie Green Road proposals tie in with objectives set out in the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed 2030 plan, published in September last year, which prioritised the regeneration of urban brownfield sites to tackle a shortage of housing in the nation’s capital.

Kelvin Properties identified the site last year as the ideal location for the developer’s first Edinburgh project. The developer hopes to use its experience and expertise to play an important role in the city’s regeneration plans. A planning application was submitted to Edinburgh City Council in October, and we were able to achieve our ‘minded to consent’ permission in December – meaning the project will now go ahead subject to finalising a legal agreement for the delivery of the affordable housing.

The site at 67 Logie Green Road, in the north of the city, was formerly used by charity Four Square – which supports homeless people in the city – for its Edinburgh Furniture Initiative (EFI). The EFI will now move to more suitable premises in the west of the city, with Four Square using proceeds generated from the sale of the Logie Green site to fund new hostel accommodation for homeless people in Edinburgh.

The proposed new Logie Green Road properties will include high-quality, external green amenity spaces on a raised amenity deck, balconies and roof terraces. It will have strong sustainability credentials too, with limited car parking to encourage alternative transport use, as well as secure bike storage and electric vehicle charging points.

The six storey building will also feature solar panels on the roof to help power the property, as well as blue roofs, rain gardens and permeable paving.

Work at the site is expected to begin in the summer of 2022.

Marc Taylor, director at Kelvin Properties, said: “Our first project in Edinburgh signals the start of a very exciting period for Kelvin Properties, and we see a huge amount of potential in the city beginning with the Logie Green Road project. This move into Edinburgh has been a long time in the planning, and we put a great deal of effort and resource into identifying the right site for our first development in the capital. It’s part of a strategic move for the business to widen our scope across the central belt.

“We are proud of our developing reputation as urban regeneration specialists, breathing new life into brownfield sites in Scotland’s cities by creating thriving residential communities. The City of Edinburgh Council has targeted this as a key part of its plan to address a shortage of housing in the capital, and that has been a key motivator in our desire to move into the city. Over a prolonged period now we have demonstrated our experience and expertise in this area, and hope to play a significant role in the city’s regeneration plans going forward.

“This will be the first Kelvin Properties development delivering at least 25% affordable housing, and we are very proud to be able to play our part in tackling the shortfall of affordable homes within the city.

“We are pleased too that our purchase of the site in Logie Green Road will allow Four Square, which provides a vital service to the city’s homeless, to continue and expand on its great work.”

Jane Devine, chief executive at Four Square, has revealed how the sale will help the charity build a women’s refuge, and provide much-needed support for other people it supports.

She said: “We were delighted to be in a position to sell our warehouse at Logie Green Road. The building served us well and our social enterprise, EFI generated a significant income to fund service for people experiencing homelessness. However, as a charity focussed on supporting people at risk of homelessness, buildings, and particularly housing is very important to us. And all our money was tied up in retail warehousing. So we decided to sell our building, invest the money in accommodation and lease retail premises.

“The funds from the sale of our Logie Green Road building have already allowed us to purchase a beautiful building for our women’s refuge; and we plan to buy a second building for young women who are homeless from the proceeds. Our ambition is to create beautiful homes for people who need them and working with Kelvin has moved us closer to achieving that ambition.”

• Plans validated for DWP office in Lonend to become “gateway to Paisley”
• Kelvin Properties hopes to “reinvigorate Paisley town centre” with transformation of vacant site
• Plans for Lonend include shared spaces and hybrid office zones to attract young
  professionals and first time buyers
• New development to include solar PV panels and EV charging stations among host of environmentally friendly considerations

A HOUSING developer has vowed to create ‘a new gateway to Paisley town centre’ as it unveiled plans for 67 new apartments on the site of a former Department for Work and Pensions office.

An application for 67 apartments in Lonend was validated by Renfrewshire Council’s planning department this week.

Kelvin Properties, an award-winning developer renowned for regenerating urban brownfield sites into thriving residential communities, hopes its plans will provide a much-needed boost to Paisley town centre, which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The site, which has been vacant since 2018, lies south-east of Paisley town centre, on the corner of Sauce Street and Lonend.

Kelvin Properties aims to redevelop the site – purchased in September last year – and provide high-quality environmentally friendly residential apartments that will provide new accommodation for members of the local community, and attract others to move to the area.

Marc Taylor, director of Kelvin Properties, said: “We hope to reinvigorate a derelict vacant site, and in doing so help to reinvigorate Paisley.

“The location is fantastic from a sustainable travel perspective. We see this as a key gateway site to Paisley town centre, for those travelling from the south along Lonend. We have sought to design and create a high quality development that welcomes people to the heart of the town, while removing vacant buildings which can be an eyesore.

“With the development’s proximity to the town centre, as well as its accessible prices and impressive environmentally friendly features, we expect it to be extremely attractive to first time buyers and young professionals.

“We truly believe this development can help Paisley to thrive. We are now very excited to progress our plans with Renfrewshire Council and bring our concept to life.”

Green travel will be encouraged, with a bus stop directly in front of the site and two train stations within a ten minute walk offering direct trains to Glasgow city centre. There will also be 15 active EV charging stations within the site which help encourage the use of electric cars.

The urban regeneration specialist plans to re-use as much of the crushed material from the demolition as possible to accommodate the three flatted blocks, while solar PV panels will be used on the roof to power the three apartment blocks and further reduce carbon emissions.

Twenty five one-bedroom apartments in the development have been designed to include a standalone home working area outwith the bedroom – a feature Kelvin Properties believes will future-proof the development in the wake of the pandemic.

The plans, which include a fully-equipped children’s play area, were submitted to Renfrewshire Council last week. If successful in gaining planning, Kelvin Properties hopes to commence works on-site later this year. To view the application, visit the Renfrewshire Council website.

Kelvin Properties announced last week that its development at Waverley Park in Shawlands, Glasgow had sold out in less than four months.

To find out more about Kelvin Properties, visit www.kelvinproperties.com.

• Managing director hails ’signal of intent’ as Andrew Duncan joins from CALA Homes 
• Firm behind major Glasgow build-to-rent projects Candleriggs Court and Mitchell 

Apartments outlines ambition to be Scotland’s premier upmarket urban developer 

AWARD-WINNING Glasgow firm Kelvin Properties has laid the foundations for the next phase of its ambition to become Scotland’s premier upmarket urban developer with the appointment of a high-profile director.

Andrew Duncan has been appointed Land Director, leaving the same role at CALA Homes where he cemented his reputation within the industry by delivering urban projects including the 101-flat Mansionhouse Road development in Shawlands, and the 203 unit Pacific Quay site by the River Clyde. 

The appointment is central to Kelvin Properties founder Stephen McKechnie’s ambitious plans to cement the firm’s reputation as one of Scotland’s leading quality residential developers.  

Mr McKechnie, managing director at Kelvin Properties, said: “Andrew brings a wealth of experience to Kelvin Properties and will play a key role in the next exciting chapter for the business. 

“To attract a director with his talent, ability and proven track shows how far Kelvin Properties has come over the past 20 years. I am delighted he shares our vision for placing the firm at the forefront of upmarket urban development in Scotland.

“In the modern marketplace, it is vital to be in a position to act on potential development sites quickly, and the addition of Andrew strengthens our ability to do just that in a number of areas.

“As an agile and forward-thinking developer, we are able to provide clear points of contact and more direct lines of communication, meaning necessary changes can be made faster which provides more scope for the communities we work within to have genuine influence.”

Mr Duncan, who is responsible for all the firm’s land and planning activity in his new role, said: “It is a privilege to join such an exciting and ambitious business, and I look forward to making a real impact on future projects across Scotland. 

“Kelvin Properties is an ambitious and entrepreneurial business that is well financed with lots of experience and a great track record.

“I am delighted to add my own experience to that mix and can’t wait to get started in this next chapter for myself and the business. I share Stephen’s ambitious vision for growing the business to become a major player within Scotland’s urban areas.”

Founded in 1999 with a mission to help Glasgow thrive and flourish by building quality housing in key locations, West End-based Kelvin Properties has a proven track record of delivering major projects of real quality across the city and its surrounding areas. 

These include the multi-million-pound transformation of the former Broomhill Public School into an award-winning 68-apartment development at The Atrium. 

Kelvin Properties is also responsible for two of Glasgow’s most talked-about recent build-to-rent developments including the 36-apartment development at Candleriggs Court in the Merchant City, and the 20-unit development Mitchell Apartments at Finnieston.