The £29.3 million first phase will see Sanctuary create 135 much-needed affordable homes and 11 retail units in Langside.

The Victoria’s affordable properties include 60 flats for mid-market rent, 43 for social rent and 32 for New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) sale. This mix of tenure opens the development to south side residents unable to buy an apartment outright.

Peter Martin, Sanctuary’s Group director – development, said: “The Victoria is one of Scotland’s most eagerly-anticipated housing projects so it’s rewarding to see phase 1 underway.

“These affordable homes will be highly sought after and bring new life to a historic site, sowing seeds for the south side’s newest community.

“We thank Glasgow City Council for sharing our vision for the Victoria and helping fund 135 affordable, accessible homes local residents desperately need.

“The new public realm will complement this first phase of homes, creating an attractive, traffic-free route through the development from Battlefield to Queen’s Park.”

Glasgow City Council contributed £15.7m to increase the number of affordable housing options in the area. All of the blocks have a lift and 14 of the flats in phase 1 are wheelchair adaptable.

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: “This is a huge project that should deliver real benefits to the local community and the wider city.

“Sanctuary is taking a really important site and retaining and reusing the best of its existing buildings to ensure it continues to be a focal point in the neighbourhood – through quality, affordable housing, places for work and new civic space.”

Keys to these 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments will be handed over from summer 2022. Sanctuary Scotland Housing Association will manage the 103 homes for rent.

The Victoria’s second phase will create more than 200 homes for open market sale, including apartments in the restored Nightingale Pavilions.