The ambitious project which will revitalise Glasgow city centre
shopping was launched with the start of construction work on the
new St. Enoch Centre shopping complex.
The £100 million redevelopment by Canadian owner and manager
Ivanhoe Cambridge will transform the 18-year old Centre and further
enhance the city's already strong profile as a top UK shopping
destination.
The first stage of demolition work is being carried out on the
site of the old Clydesdale Bank building on the corner of Argyle
Street and St. Enoch Square, with the project scheduled for
completion by the end of 2009. Once the project is completed, the
Centre will boast more than one million square feet of retail and
leisure space and will accommodate over 40 new retailers.
To celebrate the launch of this huge investment in Glasgow's
ongoing regeneration and mark the beginning of construction work,
Council Leader Steven Purcell welcomed Ivanhoe Cambridge's senior
vice president, Europe Claude Dion and Cecil Huey, vice president,
Development, Europe.
Steven Purcell, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"Glasgow is almost unrecognisable from the city that welcomed the
tremendous boost that the St Enoch Centre brought some 18 years
ago.
"I'm delighted that this new investment will further secure
Glasgow's unprecedented regeneration as we look to a bold vision
for the Clydeside adjacent to St Enoch Square.
"The corridor from the top of Buchanan Street, down to the
river, is now seen as Scotland's prime retail destination and this
investment maintains that reputation."
Claude Dion, senior vice president development, Europe for
Ivanhoe Cambridge, commented:
"I'm delighted that the St. Enoch project is now officially
underway. An enormous amount of work has already been done to bring
us to this stage and it's very pleasing to see our plans beginning
to come to fruition. The city of Glasgow already enjoys an
excellent profile as a 'must-see' shopping destination, but we see
enormous potential in the centre and the surrounding St. Enoch
Square area. Moreover, this major redevelopment project is aligned
with Ivanhoe Cambridge's strategy to improve its properties on an
ongoing basis, in order to further strengthen their positioning,
customer traffic and market share."
Susan Nicol, General Manager of St. Enoch Centre, said: "The
Centre has a long association with Glasgow, contributing a huge
amount over the past 18 years to the local economy in terms of
investment and jobs. When it first opened, Glasgow was undergoing a
period of renewal via events such as the Garden Festival and the
City of Culture celebrations. We strongly believe that this project
can be a catalyst for Glasgow to further enhance its reputation as
a retail powerhouse in the UK.
"In fact, it's very appropriate that this rejuvenation of the
Centre in the 21st century is taking place at a time when great
progress is being made in the regeneration of Glasgow, particularly
in relation to the waterfront. This redevelopment has enormous
significance not just for St. Enoch Centre itself but also for the
entire retail sector in the city and for the wider Glasgow
economy."
Ivanhoe Cambridge's ambitious plans for St. Enoch, the first
major refurbishment since it opened in 1989, include:
• A stunning new entrance at the corner of Argyle Street
and Buchanan Street (currently the site of the Clydesdale Bank
building) which will make a huge positive impact on the flow of
customers, attracting many more shoppers from this key junction
• An extensive upgrade for the surrounding St. Enoch
Square, transforming it into a café culture plaza-style environment
for the city and local community, with a large multimedia screen
for broadcasting sports, music and other events of national
interest
• A radical refurbishment of the existing mall, to update
the interior and streamline the design whilst bringing in quality,
mass-market retailers which will dramatically increase visitor
numbers and the tourist market
• Expansion of leisure facilities with a strong emphasis on
new restaurants and bars within the complex