GLASGOW, April 23, 2025 — Developer Dominus has secured planning consent from Glasgow City Council for a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in the heart of the city, marking another step in efforts to address Scotland’s intensifying student housing crunch.
The approved 13-storey scheme will rise on a brownfield site at the corner of Old Wynd Street and Osborne Street, a location well-positioned near the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University. Once completed, the project will deliver 173 studio units, including nine wheelchair-accessible rooms, in a bid to support the city’s rapidly growing student population.
Luxe Student Living: Rooftop Lounge, Karaoke Room & More
Designed by architectural firm tp bennett, the building will offer 9,500ft² of communal amenity space aimed at redefining the student living experience. Planned facilities include:
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A cinema room
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Games area
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Karaoke room
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Rooftop lounge
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External terrace
In keeping with sustainability objectives, the project is targeting BREEAM Excellent certification, incorporating green technologies such as air source heat pumps to cut emissions and improve energy efficiency.
Economic Boost: 290 Jobs and £19m in Construction GVA
The project is set to inject significant value into the local economy. According to the developer, construction is expected to support up to 290 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and generate £19 million in gross value added (GVA) during the build phase alone.
Once operational, the development will maintain around 15 permanent FTE roles, contributing an estimated £700,000 annually in GVA.
Dominus planning associate Edward Law called the approval “a major win for Glasgow’s student community.”
“We are delighted to have received approval to transform this centrally located and underutilised brownfield site into 173 high-quality studio bedrooms,” Law said. “Glasgow has one of the UK’s largest student populations with an undersupply of purpose-built student accommodation.”
Undersupply Meets Soaring Demand
The timing of this approval is critical. According to figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), Glasgow’s student population exceeded 75,000 during the 2022/2023 academic year—a jump of over 25% compared to 2017/2018. Yet the city continues to suffer from an acute lack of dedicated student housing, placing pressure on both the private rental sector and affordability for students.
Dominus’ project replaces an earlier, unrealised hotel scheme approved for the same site, which had permission for a 165-room hotel valid until 2027.
Strategic Location and Urban Revitalisation
Located in the Merchant City area, the site offers excellent transport links and walkable access to several academic institutions, making it a prime candidate for student living. The conversion of a long-underutilised plot into active residential use also aligns with urban regeneration goals.
While Dominus is known for its real estate projects across the UK, including hotels and residential developments, this student accommodation push signals a broader pivot toward meeting acute housing needs in university cities.
