An ambitious plan to redevelop Glasgow's St. Enoch Centre shopping complex was unveiled today by joint owners The Mills and Ivanhoe Cambridge. The proposal, which is expected to have an initial investment of approximately £100 million and create up to 1,500 new jobs, has been lodged with the Glasgow City Council. The proposal to add 250,000 square feet (23,225.76 m²) of retail and leisure space, refurbish mall and redevelop St. Enoch's Square aims to dovetail with Glasgow regeneration efforts.
St. Enoch Centre, Glasgow.
The most significant development in Glasgow's retail sector for a number of years, the plan envisages expanding St. Enoch Centre from 750,000 square feet (69,677.28 m²) of retail and leisure space to one million square feet, transforming it into one of the largest city centre shopping and leisure centres in the UK. Pending city approval of the planning application and awarding of necessary permits, construction is scheduled to begin in September/October 2006 and be completed in Quarter 4 of 2009.
In addition to the expansion project, plans call for an extensive refurbishment of the existing mall area and the redevelopment of surrounding St. Enoch's Square into a much needed and revitalised community facility for the people of Glasgow.
A dramatic new façade for the St. Enoch's Square entrance is envisaged to give the Centre an enhanced visual impact, providing further impetus for the overall objective of breathing new life into the square.
Burgin Dossett, Group Vice President, Development for Europe, The Mills, said:
"Since we acquired St. Enoch Centre in 2005 with our joint venture partner Ivanhoe Cambridge, we have been formulating a redevelopment strategy that would enhance the productivity of the centre and re-establish St. Enoch Centre as the dominant retail and leisure anchor for Glasgow's city center.
"We believe the plans we have unveiled today, combined with the sector expertise of Ivanhoe Cambridge and The Mills, will accomplish that goal, and play a pivotal role in reinforcing the strength of the retail sector in Glasgow's city center as well as making a major contribution to the wider regeneration of the city."
Claude Dion, Senior Vice President, Europe, Ivanhoe Cambridge, said:
"We are confident that this investment will enhance the centre's position in the market and stimulate economic growth in Glasgow. It also represents an opportunity to leverage The Mills' and Ivanhoe Cambridge's European and North American networks and expertise as developers, operators and investors for the benefit of the Centre, its existing and potential tenants, and their customers."
Susan Nicol, General Manager of the St. Enoch Centre and Regional Director for The Mills commented:
"The retail sector, particularly in Glasgow, is a highly competitive and fast-changing one which plays an extremely valuable role in the Scottish economy, helping to attract thousands of visitors to our cities.
"The time is now right for redevelopment of the center so we can provide Scottish shoppers and visitors to the city with a much-enhanced shopping environment. We believe this project will further improve the connectivity of the city center, assist with the regeneration of the entire Argyle Street area and The St. Enoch Quarter and provide a valuable link to the excellent work which is already being done to revitalise Glasgow's waterfront.
"Our overriding objective is to make the city center stronger."
Lesley Sawers, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said:
"This is great news and a key development for the city's retail sector. St Enoch's has long been a focal point, going back to the days of the famous old train station. This significant investment will add to Glasgow's tourist offering, further our position as the top shopping destination outside London and enhance the south side of the city center, linking Buchanan Street to the fast-developing waterfront."
Peter Betts, Store Manager from Debenham's, said:
"We have been an anchor tenant at
