Key Points
- Proposal Details: A formal planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council to construct 140 residential apartments on an empty car park site at 30 Finnieston Street, near Lidl.
- Developer and Architect: The project is proposed by Singaporean developer Woh Hup Group alongside Glasgow-based firm Mosaic Architecture & Design.
- Site Features and Amenities: The scheme features a combination of surface car parking and 65 underground spaces, ground-floor retail units, an on-site gym, integrated co-working spaces, and multiple rooftop gardens.
- Design and Environment: Architectural designs draw inspiration from the neighbouring B-listed Georgian terrace. Environmental measures include retaining existing street trees and installing a geotextile cellular “pollinator bank” along the Lidl boundary.
- Market Rationale: The developers state the scheme aims to meet high demand for “much-needed residential for sale accommodation” that is resilient and sustainable in the post-pandemic market.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) October 29, 2026 — A fresh planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council to transform an empty car park adjacent to the Lidl store in Finnieston into a residential development comprising 140 flats. The proposed scheme, situated at 30 Finnieston Street, aims to redevelop brownfield land into a high-density apartment block incorporating commercial, community, and private amenity spaces.
As reported by Drew Sandelands, Local Democracy Reporter for The Herald, the application has been lodged jointly by Singaporean investment firm Woh Hup Group and Mosaic Architecture & Design following extensive public consultation exercises. The developers contend that the project would deliver “much-needed residential for sale accommodation” to address ongoing housing pressures in the West End of Glasgow.
As detailed in the planning documents submitted by Mosaic Architecture & Design, the applicant believes the refined mixed-use format reflects evolving lifestyle demands. As reported by Drew Sandelands of The Herald, the architectural team stated:
“This builds on learning from the pandemic and the applicant’s unique experience to create a more focused mixed-use development that will be sustainable and resilient for residents and the economy alike.”
What Are The Architectural And Structural Specifications Of The Finnieston Scheme?
The project design features an apartment block modeled after the adjacent B-listed Georgian terrace, aiming to maintain structural harmony along the streetscape. The layout incorporates full-height glazing on the ground level to accommodate retail space and a main residential entrance reception, intended to increase footfall and street-level activation.
According to architectural details published by Urban Realm, the building includes 65 basement parking bays beneath a surface-level parking area to serve incoming residents. The layout also integrates internal shared infrastructure, including an on-site exercise gym and integrated co-working spaces designed for remote workers.
Rooftop spaces form a central component of the residential amenity package. The development includes a private communal garden situated on top of the basement car park towards the south elevation, as well as an eighth-floor roof terrace fitted with a pergola for shade, outdoor dining areas, and zoned spaces designated for socialising and relaxation.
How Does The Development Plan Address Local Environmental Constraints?
The submission highlights specific landscape engineering solutions intended to manage the boundary between the proposed residential block and the operating Lidl supermarket. The planning strategy focuses on retaining existing street trees along Finnieston Street while creating new green infrastructure within the plot perimeter.
As reported by Urban Realm, Mosaic Architecture & Design outlined the structural approach to the sloped ground adjoining the retail site. As reported by Urban Realm, Mosaic Architecture & Design stated:
“The basement car park slope adjacent to the Lidl boundary will be developed as a pollinator bank using a mixture of shade-tolerant native and naturalised plug species. The required 45° slope will be soiled using a geotextile cellular system to hold the soil in place with a biodegradable surface mat to prevent the soil migrating from the surface with plugs and plant material will be carefully planted through.”
To address visual impact and wind-blown debris from the retail boundary, the design incorporates additional physical barriers. As reported by Urban Realm, Mosaic Architecture & Design added:
“This part of the site boundary will incorporate a solid screen fence to restrict views through at ground level, and help prevent litter blowing through from the Lidl side.”
Background Of The Particular Development
The land at 30 Finnieston Street has remained underutilised for several years, previously serving as overflow car parking connected to retail facilities, including the adjacent Lidl and a former PC World branch. Finnieston has undergone significant urban regeneration over the past two decades, transitioning from an industrial port district into a vibrant commercial and residential hub in Glasgow’s West End.
Previous redevelopment schemes for the wider site were explored in recent years as Glasgow City Council encouraged high-density brownfield housing around key transit corridors. Prior proposals considered larger residential outputs exceeding 150 units across the site. However, market shifts, community consultations, and altered post-pandemic working patterns prompted the current joint venture between Woh Hup Group and Mosaic Architecture & Design to re-evaluate the scale, car parking ratio, and inclusion of dedicated co-working and outdoor space. The revised 140-unit scheme submitted to Glasgow City Council reflects this adapted approach to urban infill development.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Stakeholders
If approved by Glasgow City Council, the introduction of 140 residential units at 30 Finnieston Street will impact several local stakeholder groups:
- Prospective Homebuyers: The addition of 140 homes for sale increases housing stock in a highly competitive West End property market. The inclusion of on-site co-working spaces and dedicated gym facilities caters directly to professionals seeking modern hybrid living setups.
- Local Retailers and Businesses: Ground-floor commercial units and an influx of new residents will likely boost footfall for local shops, cafes, and neighboring establishments along Finnieston Street and Argyle Street.
- Nearby Residents and Commuters: The construction phase may lead to temporary traffic management shifts along Finnieston Street. In the long term, adding 140 apartments with 65 underground parking spaces reflects a shift toward lower vehicle-to-home ratios, relying on the area’s established public transport connections. Neighboring properties directly bordering the site will also see an aesthetic transition from a vacant car park to a structured residential building with visual screen fencing and landscaped pollinator banks.
