Student accommodation plan for Jumpin’ Jaks nightclub site in Glasgow

If approved, the proposal will see an 185-bed student housing development on the site of the dilapidated Jumpin’ Jaks nightclub on Sauchiehall Street.

Adjoining the world-renowned Glasgow School of Art campus, the project will also include roof gardens, study rooms, common areas and a cinema room. At street level it is also proposed to reinstate the retail and leisure units currently located on the popular thoroughfare into the city, as well as providing improvements to the public realm along Dalhousie Street ensuring a welcoming approach towards Glasgow School of Art.

The development team has conducted a thorough and extensive consultation process, speaking at length with Glasgow City Council, Glasgow School of Art, Historic Environment Scotland and local community councils, to ensure the design and use of the proposed building is in keeping and meets the needs of the local area.

Sauchiehall Street has been designated Glasgow’s first Business Improvement District – a 10-year multi-million-pound project to rejuvenate the street and Garnethill area, while also cutting down on traffic levels and bringing more visitors to the area. The development team are aiming to be a key part of that regeneration with this project.

The team has also conducted extensive research into the demands being placed on the city to cater for a growing student population. According to the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures, there are more than 67,500 full and part time students at the city’s five main higher education establishments – more than 55,000 of who are full time. The number of students in the city has increased from around 64,000 in 2011/12.

According to the research, there are only 14,385 allocated and purpose-built student beds in the city – enough to cater for only 21 per cent of the full-time studying community. This could rise to more than 23,000 beds if the 22 student developments with planning permission are completed, but the number is still well short of the growing requirement, which is thought to be increasing the pressure on the local privately-rented market.

The plans include the demolition of the former Jumpin’ Jaks nightclub, which is now closed. Although once revered when it opened in the late 1960s, the building is in a state of disrepair and requiring increasing running costs.

The team behind the application see their proposals for a ‘best in class’ design led accommodation development as a vast improvement on the current building.

James Patterson from development partner Urban Pulse, said the new development could provide the opportunity to kickstart the wider regeneration of Sauchiehall Street.

He said: “Our proposals are very much in-line with the aspirations of the city to rejuvenate Sauchiehall Street. Our development would be an illustration of those aspirations being delivered which would contribute positively to the Glasgow economy as well as the local and wider communities.

“We’ve invested a huge amount of time to consider the views of our neighbours and the local population. This is without doubt a design that has been interpreted through in-depth consultation. Our plans fully acknowledge not just how Sauchiehall Street looks with its mix of design styles, but what is needed by local communities and businesses to re-establish this important city district.

“The education economy is vital to Glasgow, and student numbers are rising. In order to remain attractive, we need to invest in high quality student accommodation. Our proposals would provide a best in class ‘door step’ offering for the Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow University’s dental school. It should also be attractive to a number of additional nearby institutions and their students thus assisting in meeting demand and taking pressure off the local rental market.”

The owners of the site, who also own the adjacent O2 ABC which is being fully retained, say their plans to create bespoke student residences may also lead to improvements to the popular neighbouring concert venue.

James Patterson added: “We’ve taken a lot of time to look at how the two distinct buildings have shared spaces, corridors and exits. Great consideration has been given to ensure how such a core asset to the city can be improved and retained, but also sit separately from a new, high quality student residence.”

Murray Henderson, director of Glasgow-based architects HAUS, said: “Sauchiehall Street has developed over time to feature a wide range of architectural styles, communities and uses. We are fully acknowledging the history of our surroundings such as the Grecian Chambers, McLellan Galleries and Glasgow School of Art, while looking to deliver a modern and high quality development which complements and is in keeping with the area.”