Independent design, environment and sustainability consultancy, LDA Design were the Landscape Architects for the public realm scheme which forms part of the St Vincent Plaza development in Glasgow.
The completion of this significant public space within the heart of the city marks LDA Design's first constructed public realm project in Scotland. The space will be formally opened to the public when practical completion of the building is fully completed in September.
Developed by Abstract (Glasgow) Limited, St Vincent Plaza is a striking, efficient building which will provide 172,000 sq ft (15,979 sq m) of Grade A office space over lower ground, ground and ten upper floors. The landmark building features a granite and glazed faí§ade which is complemented by Caithness stone and granite aggregate paving within the new public realm.
Significantly, the new public realm, which creates a much needed pedestrian link from St Vincent Street to William Street and the Hilton Hotel, is one of Glasgow's only newly created streetscapes in recent years, which will add a positive contribution to the city's wider urban landscape. It is the most competitive new build City Centre office scheme anywhere in the UK.
Within the space, raised planters create a dramatic terrace that includes mixed ornamental tree and shrub planting. This gives seasonal interest to the space and creates an appealing setting to the building which helps define St Vincent Plaza as Glasgow's premier business address. The terraced plaza space also uses lighting to bring valuable dynamism to the public realm, changing the character of the space from day to night, in the way that the planting does from season to season.
With a focus on making the new link a safe and well-lit, LDA Design worked closely with lighting designers Lightfolio and Castle Building Services to create a bespoke lighting scheme that will encourage activity and footfall to benefit both safe use and enhancement of the city's evening economy. Up-lighting to the M8 underpass and new feature signage forms part of the gateway to the space, bringing further vibrancy to the Glasgow International Financial Services District (IFSD).
Kirstin Taylor, Director at LDA Design, said: "The completion of St Vincent Plaza's public realm will create a fantastic public space for people to enjoy. It gives us huge satisfaction to have completed a notable project of local significance within the second year of opening our Glasgow office."
Christopher McPherson, Director at Abstract, added: "The restoration of an historic link between St Vincent Street and William Street, and the Hilton Hotel in particular, is a fitting legacy resulting from our St Vincent Plaza development which will benefit the people of the City of Glasgow for generations to come. It is a significant project in its own right and a further enhancement to the local environment which is fast improving in this part of the Central Business District and IFSD."
The scheme has been designed to achieve BREEAM "˜Excellent' and EPC 'B' ratings; within the public realm, it focusses on the use of sustainable and high quality materials.
