A major planning application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council for a £160 million regeneration of the city’s historic Chinatown site — one of the most significant urban investment proposals in Glasgow’s city centre in recent years.
Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd — the joint venture between Keltbray Developments and the current owners of Glasgow Chinatown — has lodged plans to transform the 4.4-acre site on New City Road into a mixed-use neighbourhood aligned with the Cowcaddens District Regeneration Framework. The scheme, designed by Hawkins\Brown with CBRE appointed as planning agent, would deliver new homes, retail and leisure space, alongside cultural and community facilities and improved public realm connections.
A Cultural Landmark Reborn
The Chinatown complex, which opened in 1992, was once a celebrated hub for shopping and dining and has played a significant role in Glasgow’s cultural landscape. Over the past decade the site has declined, and the new proposals aim to reinstate its standing as a destination rooted in community and cultural identity.
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. 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 of Glasgow Chinatown said: “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. 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.”
Community-Driven From the Start
A Proposal of Application Notice was submitted in November 2025, followed by two public consultation events that attracted 127 attendees. Keltbray says feedback demonstrated strong support for the regeneration alongside a clear desire to retain and celebrate the site’s cultural heritage.
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. 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.”
Alongside CBRE and Hawkins\Brown, the project team includes SLR Consulting, Woolgar Hunter, Henderson Warnock and Hollis.
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Part of a Wider Glasgow Growth Story
The Chinatown application arrives at a moment of significant strategic momentum for Glasgow. Just days before the planning submission, Glasgow City Council unveiled its new City Development Plan (CDP2) — a 10-year blueprint that includes land for over 30,000 new homes, the creation of Economic Development Areas, and a renewed focus on city centre regeneration. Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Convener for Development, Housing and Land Use, described CDP2 as “vital for attracting investment and development and support the sectors which are key to Glasgow’s continuing economic growth”.
The CDP2 framework identifies key growth sectors including digital and tech, finance and business services, advanced manufacturing, space and satellite, and life sciences — alongside a major push to unlock development potential along the River Clyde corridor. The £160m Chinatown investment sits squarely within this broader city ambition, providing a concrete signal that private capital is following Glasgow’s strategic direction.
