• Award-winning developer completes purchase of industrial unit set to be transformed into a thriving new residential community
• Kelvin Properties project ties in to Edinburgh City Council’s strategy to tackle the capital’s housing shortage by regenerating brownfield sites
• Sale of property will aid charity Four Square in its mission to help Edinburgh’s homeless
• Development will bring 48 new apartments including 25 per cent affordable homes and a fifth for families

AN award-winning Scottish developer renowned for transforming redundant buildings and urban brownfield sites into thriving residential communities has made its first move into the nation’s capital.

Urban regeneration specialist Kelvin Properties – the firm behind a string of coveted high-end residential developments in the firm’s native Glasgow – has completed the purchase of a site in Canonmills that was formerly home to a charity’s furniture warehouse, where it plans to build 48 new apartments including 12 affordable apartments. A fifth of the homes are larger three-bedroom properties suitable for families.

The Logie Green Road proposals tie in with objectives set out in the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposed 2030 plan, published in September last year, which prioritised the regeneration of urban brownfield sites to tackle a shortage of housing in the nation’s capital.

Kelvin Properties identified the site last year as the ideal location for the developer’s first Edinburgh project. The developer hopes to use its experience and expertise to play an important role in the city’s regeneration plans. A planning application was submitted to Edinburgh City Council in October, and we were able to achieve our ‘minded to consent’ permission in December – meaning the project will now go ahead subject to finalising a legal agreement for the delivery of the affordable housing.

The site at 67 Logie Green Road, in the north of the city, was formerly used by charity Four Square – which supports homeless people in the city – for its Edinburgh Furniture Initiative (EFI). The EFI will now move to more suitable premises in the west of the city, with Four Square using proceeds generated from the sale of the Logie Green site to fund new hostel accommodation for homeless people in Edinburgh.

The proposed new Logie Green Road properties will include high-quality, external green amenity spaces on a raised amenity deck, balconies and roof terraces. It will have strong sustainability credentials too, with limited car parking to encourage alternative transport use, as well as secure bike storage and electric vehicle charging points.

The six storey building will also feature solar panels on the roof to help power the property, as well as blue roofs, rain gardens and permeable paving.

Work at the site is expected to begin in the summer of 2022.

Marc Taylor, director at Kelvin Properties, said: “Our first project in Edinburgh signals the start of a very exciting period for Kelvin Properties, and we see a huge amount of potential in the city beginning with the Logie Green Road project. This move into Edinburgh has been a long time in the planning, and we put a great deal of effort and resource into identifying the right site for our first development in the capital. It’s part of a strategic move for the business to widen our scope across the central belt.

“We are proud of our developing reputation as urban regeneration specialists, breathing new life into brownfield sites in Scotland’s cities by creating thriving residential communities. The City of Edinburgh Council has targeted this as a key part of its plan to address a shortage of housing in the capital, and that has been a key motivator in our desire to move into the city. Over a prolonged period now we have demonstrated our experience and expertise in this area, and hope to play a significant role in the city’s regeneration plans going forward.

“This will be the first Kelvin Properties development delivering at least 25% affordable housing, and we are very proud to be able to play our part in tackling the shortfall of affordable homes within the city.

“We are pleased too that our purchase of the site in Logie Green Road will allow Four Square, which provides a vital service to the city’s homeless, to continue and expand on its great work.”

Jane Devine, chief executive at Four Square, has revealed how the sale will help the charity build a women’s refuge, and provide much-needed support for other people it supports.

She said: “We were delighted to be in a position to sell our warehouse at Logie Green Road. The building served us well and our social enterprise, EFI generated a significant income to fund service for people experiencing homelessness. However, as a charity focussed on supporting people at risk of homelessness, buildings, and particularly housing is very important to us. And all our money was tied up in retail warehousing. So we decided to sell our building, invest the money in accommodation and lease retail premises.

“The funds from the sale of our Logie Green Road building have already allowed us to purchase a beautiful building for our women’s refuge; and we plan to buy a second building for young women who are homeless from the proceeds. Our ambition is to create beautiful homes for people who need them and working with Kelvin has moved us closer to achieving that ambition.”

• Plans validated for DWP office in Lonend to become “gateway to Paisley”
• Kelvin Properties hopes to “reinvigorate Paisley town centre” with transformation of vacant site
• Plans for Lonend include shared spaces and hybrid office zones to attract young
  professionals and first time buyers
• New development to include solar PV panels and EV charging stations among host of environmentally friendly considerations

A HOUSING developer has vowed to create ‘a new gateway to Paisley town centre’ as it unveiled plans for 67 new apartments on the site of a former Department for Work and Pensions office.

An application for 67 apartments in Lonend was validated by Renfrewshire Council’s planning department this week.

Kelvin Properties, an award-winning developer renowned for regenerating urban brownfield sites into thriving residential communities, hopes its plans will provide a much-needed boost to Paisley town centre, which was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The site, which has been vacant since 2018, lies south-east of Paisley town centre, on the corner of Sauce Street and Lonend.

Kelvin Properties aims to redevelop the site – purchased in September last year – and provide high-quality environmentally friendly residential apartments that will provide new accommodation for members of the local community, and attract others to move to the area.

Marc Taylor, director of Kelvin Properties, said: “We hope to reinvigorate a derelict vacant site, and in doing so help to reinvigorate Paisley.

“The location is fantastic from a sustainable travel perspective. We see this as a key gateway site to Paisley town centre, for those travelling from the south along Lonend. We have sought to design and create a high quality development that welcomes people to the heart of the town, while removing vacant buildings which can be an eyesore.

“With the development’s proximity to the town centre, as well as its accessible prices and impressive environmentally friendly features, we expect it to be extremely attractive to first time buyers and young professionals.

“We truly believe this development can help Paisley to thrive. We are now very excited to progress our plans with Renfrewshire Council and bring our concept to life.”

Green travel will be encouraged, with a bus stop directly in front of the site and two train stations within a ten minute walk offering direct trains to Glasgow city centre. There will also be 15 active EV charging stations within the site which help encourage the use of electric cars.

The urban regeneration specialist plans to re-use as much of the crushed material from the demolition as possible to accommodate the three flatted blocks, while solar PV panels will be used on the roof to power the three apartment blocks and further reduce carbon emissions.

Twenty five one-bedroom apartments in the development have been designed to include a standalone home working area outwith the bedroom – a feature Kelvin Properties believes will future-proof the development in the wake of the pandemic.

The plans, which include a fully-equipped children’s play area, were submitted to Renfrewshire Council last week. If successful in gaining planning, Kelvin Properties hopes to commence works on-site later this year. To view the application, visit the Renfrewshire Council website.

Kelvin Properties announced last week that its development at Waverley Park in Shawlands, Glasgow had sold out in less than four months.

To find out more about Kelvin Properties, visit www.kelvinproperties.com.

• Managing director hails ’signal of intent’ as Andrew Duncan joins from CALA Homes 
• Firm behind major Glasgow build-to-rent projects Candleriggs Court and Mitchell 

Apartments outlines ambition to be Scotland’s premier upmarket urban developer 

AWARD-WINNING Glasgow firm Kelvin Properties has laid the foundations for the next phase of its ambition to become Scotland’s premier upmarket urban developer with the appointment of a high-profile director.

Andrew Duncan has been appointed Land Director, leaving the same role at CALA Homes where he cemented his reputation within the industry by delivering urban projects including the 101-flat Mansionhouse Road development in Shawlands, and the 203 unit Pacific Quay site by the River Clyde. 

The appointment is central to Kelvin Properties founder Stephen McKechnie’s ambitious plans to cement the firm’s reputation as one of Scotland’s leading quality residential developers.  

Mr McKechnie, managing director at Kelvin Properties, said: “Andrew brings a wealth of experience to Kelvin Properties and will play a key role in the next exciting chapter for the business. 

“To attract a director with his talent, ability and proven track shows how far Kelvin Properties has come over the past 20 years. I am delighted he shares our vision for placing the firm at the forefront of upmarket urban development in Scotland.

“In the modern marketplace, it is vital to be in a position to act on potential development sites quickly, and the addition of Andrew strengthens our ability to do just that in a number of areas.

“As an agile and forward-thinking developer, we are able to provide clear points of contact and more direct lines of communication, meaning necessary changes can be made faster which provides more scope for the communities we work within to have genuine influence.”

Mr Duncan, who is responsible for all the firm’s land and planning activity in his new role, said: “It is a privilege to join such an exciting and ambitious business, and I look forward to making a real impact on future projects across Scotland. 

“Kelvin Properties is an ambitious and entrepreneurial business that is well financed with lots of experience and a great track record.

“I am delighted to add my own experience to that mix and can’t wait to get started in this next chapter for myself and the business. I share Stephen’s ambitious vision for growing the business to become a major player within Scotland’s urban areas.”

Founded in 1999 with a mission to help Glasgow thrive and flourish by building quality housing in key locations, West End-based Kelvin Properties has a proven track record of delivering major projects of real quality across the city and its surrounding areas. 

These include the multi-million-pound transformation of the former Broomhill Public School into an award-winning 68-apartment development at The Atrium. 

Kelvin Properties is also responsible for two of Glasgow’s most talked-about recent build-to-rent developments including the 36-apartment development at Candleriggs Court in the Merchant City, and the 20-unit development Mitchell Apartments at Finnieston. 

One of the most highly anticipated new luxury housing developments in Glasgow has sold out of all properties in just three months as house hunters flock to the city’s south side.  

More than 1,000 applicants registered interest with agent Savills for the chance to buy a property at the 34-apartment, Kelvin Properties-built Waverley Park development in Shawlands – one of Scotland’s most desirable up and coming areas. 

Overwhelming interest

Glasgow-based developer Kelvin Properties – renowned for regenerating urban areas into thriving residential communities – said the ‘overwhelming’ interest in the £10 million project was beyond all expectations, putting it down to a number of factors, including a fixed price, high-end design features, and the prime location next to a picturesque bowling club in the heart of the south side.  

Marc Taylor, director at Kelvin Properties, said: “Shawlands is fast becoming one of Glasgow’s most popular areas to live, and the success of Waverley Park shows just how many people are waiting to move there. 

“Everyone wants to be there due to its abundance of cafes, bars and restaurants as well as well-publicised plans for regeneration. This is the case for first time buyers, downsizers and young professionals. It was interesting to see the number of people who had moved from Newton Mearns and Giffnock. 

“We knew there would be significant interest in Waverley Park, but the overwhelming interest has completely exceeded our expectations.” 

Interestingly, the marketing and sales for Waverley Park were conducted almost entirely remotely using an all-in-one app, with meetings carried out over Zoom.

Jennifer Goldie, associate director at Savills, said: “The level of applications for Waverley Park was more than double what we would have expected based on other developments, and a clear indication of exactly what house hunters are looking for in the current market.

Fixed price has proved a major draw

“With house prices at historic highs, the fixed price aspect has proved a major draw. Buyers are fed up missing out on closing dates, and repeatedly missing out on properties selling far in excess of the asking price. 

“The design features are another key attraction, in the current market it’s nigh on impossible to find properties at these prices with balconies, private gardens, roof gardens, en suites, high end specification, allocated parking, floor to ceiling windows.

 “The property market has evolved in the same way other sectors have during the pandemic, and buyers love the simplicity of the remote purchase process. We only met two of the purchasers face to face. Going forward, I believe developments of this standard will see similar success as they cater to the demands of the market so well.” 

Waverley Park is just five minutes on foot from Queen’s Park as well as some of Glasgow’s best bars, cafes, restaurants and shops including Honeytrap Bakery, Strangebrew and Kilmurry & Co. There is also excellent public transport connectivity via bus from Kilmarnock Road, and train links from Crossmyloof with journey times to the city centre in just eight minutes. 

Owners will have some of the city’s best food, drink, culture and shopping on their doorstep, they’ll also enjoy access to their own private oasis in the unique rooftop terrace overlooking a picturesque bowling club against the Shawlands backdrop.

The rooftop garden is among a host of attractive communal features at Waverley Park, including 100% allocated parking, lift access to all floors and private balconies. Meanwhile, bright and sophisticated interiors feature contemporary German-designed kitchens and luxury bathrooms by Scope Bathrooms.

Kelvin Properties is responsible for some of Glasgow’s most talked-about recent developments, including the restoration of the former Broomhill Public School into an award-winning 68-apartment development at The Atrium.

Mr Taylor, director at Kelvin Properties, added: “Kelvin Properties has carved out a reputation for revitalising areas by creating vibrant and thriving residential communities. We invest heavily in delivering top end design and build quality that resonates with buyers, and it’s immensely satisfying to see that effort paying off through the interest in Waverley Park. We can’t wait for people to move in.

“We are working on development at a number of other sites in need of regeneration across Glasgow, with plans to expand beyond that in the pipeline, and we are proud to play our part in creating quality housing for communities in each area.”