A PROJECT to build 270,000 square feet of premium office space on Glasgow’s Argyle Street has moved a step closer to reality after it received the go-ahead from city planners.

Developer Osborne+Co’s proposals will create Grade A office space for up to 3,000 employees in a vacant site once earmarked for what would have been Scotland’s first six-star hotel - in the heart of the International Financial Services District. It is a second major boost for the city this week, after property developer FORE Partnership began work on the 96,000 sq ft Cadworks building on Cadogan Street.

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Both projects will go some way to addressing concerns over the lack of Grade A office under development, which is seen by industry commentators as a barrier to economic growth.

The Argyle Street site, which Dubai-based Jumeirah had identified for a luxury hotel before scrapping plans in 2011, was acquired by Osborne+Co and joint venture partner Scotsbridge Holdings in 2018.

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Osborne’s Conor Osborne said: “We are confident that this ambitious development will help Glasgow to fulfil its full potential by attracting global occupiers looking to invest and expand their UK presence and benefit from the skilled local workforce Glasgow has to offer.”

Work on the building is due to start in the autumn.