West Village - FCH
Visit the derelict land next to Bender Bridge and Beith Street in Glasgow just a few short years ago and it would have been difficult to imagine what now stands in its place. A buzzing student community has developed around the area, in no small part thanks to Falconer Chester Hall’s design of the West Village student accommodation. The scheme sits on the site of the old Partick railway station on the bank of the River Kelvin, meaning residents enjoy views out over one of Glasgow’s most famous rivers. Developer of the scheme, Downing, have built a reputation for overseeing quality student projects around the country, and the 701 apartment West Village is no exception. The project, which was completed in 2015, marks the first steps into a wider masterplan for the area, which will eventually create a residential quarter with strong links to Glasgow harbour. The scheme also falls in with plans for a new riverside walk, which will continue to be worked on in the coming years. The ten-storey build offers accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, with the top two storeys set back to offset the imposing red-brick facades. There are plenty of options available to prospective residents, with shared student flats for 4 to 6 people, as well as a number of studio apartments, all fully equipped with stylish furniture and an en-suite. The landscaped areas surrounding the scheme are wonderfully atmospheric in their lighting at night, creating a safe atmosphere for students which the card-entry systems and 24 hour security presence reinforce. A feeling of community and integration were key to the design aspect, and this has been realised in multiple interior communal areas for students, as well as a fully-equipped, free on-site gym, games room, and cinema room.
