£160 Million Plan Submitted to Revitalise Glasgow’s Historic Chinatown Site
Glasgow Chinatown CGI
Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd, a partnership between Keltbray Developments and the current owners of Glasgow Chinatown, has lodged a planning application with Glasgow City Council to regenerate the city’s historic Chinatown area.
The proposed £160 million project aims to transform the 4.4-acre site on New City Road into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, in line with the Cowcaddens District Regeneration Framework’s strategic goals.
Originally opened in 1992 as a celebrated centre for shopping and dining, the Chinatown complex has been a significant cultural landmark in Glasgow. However, the area has experienced decline over the past decade and is now poised for renewal.
Designed by Hawkins\Brown and with CBRE acting as planning agent, the development intends to restore Chinatown as a thriving cultural and community hub. Plans include new residential units, retail and leisure spaces, enhanced public areas, and improved connectivity with adjacent neighbourhoods.
The scheme also incorporates dedicated venues for events, markets, and cultural celebrations, aiming to honour Chinatown’s historic role while establishing a fresh destination for both residents and visitors.
A Proposal of Application Notice was submitted in November 2025, followed by two public consultation events attended by 127 people. Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd has engaged extensively with local stakeholders and existing tenants to ensure the proposals reflect their needs and aspirations.
Feedback from consultations showed strong support for the regeneration, alongside a clear desire to preserve and celebrate Chinatown’s cultural heritage within Glasgow’s future.
Andrew Burnside, Associate Director at Keltbray Developments, said: “Submitting this planning application marks a major milestone in unlocking a truly transformative, once-in-a-generation opportunity for Glasgow.”
He added: “This proposal is the result of extensive collaboration with local communities, stakeholders and partners, and their input has been instrumental in shaping a vision that is both ambitious and deliverable. We see enormous potential in this site and in Glasgow as a whole. This is a confident, long-term investment in the city – one that will create a vibrant, inclusive destination, celebrate Chinatown’s unique cultural heritage, and deliver high-quality homes, public spaces and opportunities for local businesses.”
Robin Lim from Glasgow Chinatown commented: “Chinatown Glasgow has long been a vital cultural landmark for the city, and these proposals reflect a shared ambition to safeguard its future for generations to come.”
He continued: “Central to the development of this masterplan has been a strong commitment to listening to and engaging with existing Chinatown tenants, alongside close collaboration with a trusted and experienced project team. Together, this has shaped a vision that will breathe new life into the area, creating a destination rooted in cultural identity while delivering modern, high-quality amenities that directly support and benefit Glasgow’s Chinese community.”
Kate Donald, Senior Director at CBRE, said: “We have benefited from a positive and collaborative pre-application process with the Council’s planning and city design officers, and are pleased to have now submitted the planning application.”
She added: “The proposals set out a high-quality, deliverable masterplan that will transform a prominent city centre site into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood. The development has the potential to deliver lasting economic, social and cultural benefits – creating new homes and opportunities, while reinforcing the city centre as a dynamic and inclusive place to live, work and visit.”
The project team includes specialists from SLR Consulting, Woolgar Hunter, Henderson Warnock and Hollis, alongside CBRE and Hawkins\Brown. Together, they have crafted a comprehensive masterplan balancing design quality, feasibility, and community priorities, while respecting the site’s cultural importance and the broader regeneration aims for Cowcaddens.
Keltbray Developments, based in Glasgow, is known for delivering high-quality, sustainable projects across Scotland and Northern Ireland. As a subsidiary of The Keltbray Group, a London-headquartered engineering and construction services provider, it focuses on creating resilient, future-focused communities. The company leverages the Group’s expertise and mission to engineer a better world, applying innovative and responsible approaches to sustainable development.
