The approved plans mark a new milestone in preparation for the refurbishment of the former City of Glasgow College, bringing the Grade B-listed building back into use following a 10-year period of vacancy.

The redeveloped Met Tower, which is scheduled to open in Winter 2025, will serve as a new technology and digital hub in the heart of the city centre and within the Glasgow City Innovation District. With its £60m investment into the project, Bruntwood SciTech will also create a new 10 storey tower which will interconnect with the building.

The plans outline how the existing 110,000 sq ft 14-storey Met Tower will be redeveloped to offer 2-40 person serviced offices and larger leased office space, accompanied with multiple meeting rooms including a 16-person boardroom, breakout spaces, a wellness and treatment room, a grab and go cafe, and a multi-faith room.

The 95,000 sq ft new 10 storey tower will offer medium-large office spaces, along with breakout space opening out into the new plaza, a grab and go cafe, speed gates for additional security, a secondary retail space, and a roof terrace, with direct access into Met Tower’s facilities.

Enabling works on the site are underway and are set to continue for the remainder of 2023, with construction work expected to commence on Met Tower from spring next year.

Both buildings have been designed in line with the UKGBC and LETI net zero carbon targets for operational and embodied carbon. The new tower is set to be net zero carbon in construction, and both buildings are to be net zero operationally in their shared spaces.

Businesses locating to the new cluster will gain access to Bruntwood SciTech’s UK-wide network, giving them the opportunity to collaborate with a 1100-strong community of tech and science businesses, as well as specialist support which provides access to STEM talent, new markets, funding and finance support, and professional services advice.

The new hub will join the rapidly scaling science and tech sector in Glasgow, which is the second fastest-growing area in the UK for venture capital investment.

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Daron Williams, building consultancy director at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Glasgow is already on its way to becoming a world-leading tech hub and one of the UK’s fastest growing clusters, and with approval of our plans now confirmed we’re very much looking forward to Met Tower becoming the beacon for the tech community in the city.

“We’re proud to be playing our part in galvanising the tech momentum in this city and couldn’t be better placed to do so in the heart of the city centre and Innovation District – surrounded by two brilliant universities, an exceptional College, and several established alternative training providers who will ensure that the businesses who locate to Met Tower can tap into a strong, highly skilled talent pool.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “Bruntwood SciTech’s £60 million investment in the Met Tower is a huge vote of confidence in Glasgow’s growing reputation as an international centre of innovation, creativity and opportunity. It also recognises our vision for a changing city centre, one with new industries and new purposes and where innovation and technology are brought into the heart of city life.

“These plans show the transformational potential of the building in a part of the city already experiencing incredible change and I’m delighted the plans have reached this major milestone. Met Tower has been a Glasgow icon for 60 years and Bruntwood SciTech’s investment in this landmark will ensure it remains a symbol of the city for generations to come.”