It seems like the building works around the GOW community area have been endless these past couple of years. One particular long running saga has been that of the scaffolding in front of the Unite Building. The good news is that work here is now progressing and the end is in sight as John Stevenson, operations manager for UNITE Student Accommodation in Glasgow, explains:

Rationale

UNITE Gibson Street was completed in February 2009. Shortly after completion an assessment was carried out on the stone cladding at the front (Gibson Street) and side (riverside) elevations of the building whereby a fixing issue was highlighted. The stone ’squares’ that are visible were incorrectly attached to the external of the building causing obvious concern to the footfall on that side of the road.

Issues

During this process both the main contractor (Chard) and the sub-contractor (Exterior Systems) both went into administration. This then left the outstanding remedial works sitting with an administrative body (KPMG) appointed to manage the financial aspect of the process. Due to the fact that both the main contractor and the sub-contractor essentially went out of business at the same time, this meant that the process was extended even further. The timelines around this were from May 2009 to September 2010.

Remedials and timelines

The external works to the Gibson Street elevation started on Monday 25th October with a 5 week timeline. I am expecting the works to be complete and the scaffolding to be removed by the first week of December.

The works to the riverside elevation will commence the 2nd week of November with a completion date of the last week of January 2011. I expect that by the end of January all works will be complete and all traces of the issue will be gone from site.

The current scaffolding structure on the Gibson Street elevation has been subjected to attention from the local graffiti artists. This will be painted out on a weekly basis (each Monday morning) to ensure that whilst it is there, the structure is maintained to the best of our ability. The project management company that we have instructed will also be meeting on-site each week to ensure the terms of the works are being carried out as agreed.

Unfortunately due to the extensiveness of the works and also the quantity of material involved, it was felt necessary to apply for a temporary takeover of the car parking spaces on the Northern side of the bridge. The spaces will be closed off until the end of the perceived works (January 2011). This I can only apologise for, however, it will hopefully be seen as a short term pain for a long term gain as this access and storage will dramatically speed up the process for the contractors.

I am really keen to engage with the community on this as I feel that throughout the process this may have been an oversight.

If you have any questions or would like clarification regarding any of the above content then please feel free to contact me on the details below.

Thanks again.

John Stevenson Operations Manager The UNITE Group plc BUCHANAN VIEW, 35 Calgary Street Glasgow United Kingdom G4 0XG Mobile: 07506 703 086 John.Stevenson@unite-group.co.uk

www.unite-group.co.uk | www.unite-students.com

Update January 2011:

We are in the latter stages of the process now, with a finish date of 1st week in February (no trace on Gibson Street or the riverside).

We will be completing some tests on the back of the building into the 2nd week, but the cosmetics of the front will be back to normal.

The contractor has commited to a full clean up of the area and riverside once they leave.

I hope you agree that the look of the stone work has vastly improved, not everyones taste but miles apart from what it was.

John Stevenson
Operations Manager

Before Unite

The Plan

The Result

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Send us your photos if you took any of the build.

See the report here

Eric Kay of GOW met Mark Smithers and Andrew Moncreiff from Unite in Offshore on 26 November 2008.
Unite have commissioned and manage several Glasgow based student accommodation residences. They have many more UK wide. No10 Gibson Street is due for hand over and occupancy mid to late January 2009.
Mark is the Hospitality Manager for the Gibson Street site and Andrew manages the residencies in Yorkhill. The Gibson Street residence will have 93 bedrooms with en suite facilities arranged in a variety of forms from studios to shared flats. Prices will be upwards  from £109 per week depending on type of accommodation. The majority of first residents are expected to be international students from China and the Far East attending Caplin International School.

As neighbours of the new unit, GOW residents are interested in the day to day management arrangements for the site, including noise, bin uplifts, supervision etc. as well as how Unite on Gibson Street hopes to integrate into our established community. Our annual Gibson Street Gala may provide Unite with an opportunity to work with residents and local Traders.

On a practical note : The building has a central courtyard where refuse and recycling bins will be kept. Refuse and recyclables will be collected via the gates onto Gibson Street and so the pavement will not be obstructed. Unite is proud if its green credentials and so recycling provisions will be in place for the arrival of the new tenants.

You may have seen the ‘To Let’ sign affixed to the lower level of the building – there was speculation earlier in the year if this commercial space would house a mini-supermarket, (along the lines of a Tesco Express), but currently the expectation is that it will be a sandwich shop or food provider although the contract has not yet been finalised.
For local residents who may be interested to see the completed development and the facilities provided, the managers indicated that there would be an opportunity to visit to view once the building has been “signed over”.

All in all, the meeting was positive and reassuring with the Unite representatives keen to show their understanding of the great impact the development will have on our area.

Worries Continue Over New Student Accommodation

RESIDENTS in the Gibson Street area are continuing to voice concerns over a major student accommodation development as it reaches its final stages.

The building, which is being built by Unite Group, has been subject to many planning objections due to its imposing stature and design.

The plans were altered slightly, but there are fears this did not go far enough.

Members of GOW, (Gibson Street, Otago Street and Westbank Quadrant ‘triangle community’) Community Residents Group co-chairman, Eric Kay said: “The size and the scale of the structure appears to have increased since the original plans were made public.

“Now that the building is nearing completion it looks even more dominant than many local people feared.”

The building, which has 93 beds, is due for completion in January 2009.

However, a spokesman at Unite Group said no bookings will be taken until at least December, when the company can be sure that the development will be finished on time.

Unite Group maintains its student accommodation will enhance the area by boosting the local economy and creating a more balanced community.

Yet residents of the area are worried that such an imposing building will cause problems for the community, and have voiced concerns over how it will be managed, particularly as it has reported that there will not be a warden in the building.

Hillhead Community Council has also voiced concerns it will cause a demographic imbalance, pushing population numbers to breaking point.

The Gow Community Residents Group is currently organising a meeting with Unite management, and are keen to ease residents’ worries and welcoming future members to the community.

Mr Kay, said: “Residents have many questions and some anxieties, and we are hopeful these can be addressed in the near future.

The property is managed by Unite.