Hawkins\Brown masterplan for Glasgow waterfront receives consent
After four years of engagement, dialogue, and design with local communities and stakeholders, Glasgow City Council’s Meet Our Waterfront planning application has received consent.
Located on the River Clyde, the project presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a unique, resilient, and sustainable destination within the city centre. The 20-acre site includes both Custom House Quay on the north and Carlton Place on the south bank of the river.
The masterplan by Hawkins\Brown, working with Civic and Public Practice, provides an opportunity to reactivate this prominent waterfront and transform the public’s perception of the river as a barrier to an open amenity space, connecting its surrounding communities north and south. The scheme is anchored by the practical need to address the structural integrity of the quay walls and creates an opportunity to address the quality and experience of the river edge. A riverside ribbon of walkways will connect a series of new public spaces and viewpoints, with outdoor activities and play features to help bring vibrancy to the area.
Hawkins\Brown spearheaded a multidisciplinary design team to develop this public realm-led proposal. Extensive engagement has given insight into the experiences, priorities and aspirations for those who live, work and care about the area.
It has been a privilege to work with Glasgow City Council on this significant project that will reactivate the river frontage within the City Centre. The need to reinforce the quay walls on the north and south of the river has created the opportunity to regrade and renew the landscape on both banks, creating spaces to meet and spend time on the river frontage within the City Centre.
This project will contribute to the city’s aspiration for a ‘River Park’ and is funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal programme. It aims to catalyse the economic, social and environmental regeneration of the wider area. There is likely to be a phased approach to the delivery, with works to the north bank, Custom House Quay, realised first.
