Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd – the joint venture between Keltbray Developments and the current owners of Glasgow Chinatown – has submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the regeneration of the city’s historic Chinatown site.
The proposals set out a £160 million vision to transform the 4.4-acre site on New City Road into a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood, aligned with the strategic ambitions for the area as outlined in the Cowcaddens District Regeneration Framework.
The site, home to the once-iconic Chinatown complex which opened in 1992 as a celebrated hub for shopping and dining, has played a significant role in Glasgow’s cultural landscape. Over the past decade, however, the area has declined and is now primed for revitalisation.
Brought forward by Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd, the scheme has been designed by Hawkins\Brown, with CBRE appointed as planning agent. Once approved, plans will reinstate Chinatown as a thriving cultural and community destination, delivering new homes, retail and leisure space, alongside high-quality public realm and enhanced connections to surrounding neighbourhoods.
The development will also include dedicated spaces for events, markets and cultural celebrations, reinforcing Chinatown’s historic role within Glasgow while creating an exciting new destination for residents and visitors alike.
A Proposal of Application Notice (PoAN) was submitted in November 2025. Two public consultation events were subsequently held, attracting 127 attendees. Keltbray Chinatown Developments Ltd has engaged extensively with local stakeholders and worked closely with existing tenants operating within Chinatown to help shape proposals that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Feedback has demonstrated strong support for the regeneration of the site, alongside a clear desire to retain and celebrate its cultural heritage as part of the city’s future.
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, 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.”
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Kate Donald, Senior Director at CBRE, added: “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 brings together significant regeneration, design and technical expertise, including SLR Consulting, Woolgar Hunter, Henderson Warnock and Hollis. Together, the team has developed a comprehensive masterplan that balances design quality, deliverability and community priorities, while responding sensitively to the site’s cultural significance and the wider regeneration ambitions for Cowcaddens.
