Consortium led by the firm selected for City of Glasgow College development

A consortium led by Sir Robert McAlpine has been chosen to build a £228m new campus development for City of Glasgow College.

Glasgow Learning Quarter (GLQ) was selected as preferred bidder for the scheme, beating off competition from a Bam PPP after another consortium led by Laing O’Rourke was elminated from the running last year.

The two campuses, set to house around 40,000 students and 1,200 staff, have been designed by architects Reiach & Hall and Michael Laird Architects.

College principal Paul Little said: “Our pioneering new campuses reinforce the college’s commitment to this great city and position us at the heart of skills development in Scotland. The plans and visuals released today reflect over six years of determined lobbying and patient planning by college staff, committed board members and technical advisers.

“These plans signify a major boost to the city and Scotland and ultimately will enhance our reputation as a top educational institution in the world.”

This scheme is publicly and privately financed with funding support from the Scottish Government via the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and from the college’s financial reserves. The European Investment Bank has also approved up to £100m of financing in principle.

Construction is due to start this summer subject to planning permission and further funding agreements.