Clydebank re-built

Queens Quay Enterprise & Learning District

In 2000, the 80 acre former UIE/Kvaerner shipyard and engineering works (previously John Brown's site) was bought by a development consortium, Clydeside Regeneration. An outline planning consent for mixed use development was subsequently obtained and comprised proposals for housing, education use, business space, small scale retailing and commercial activity.

In March 2005, Clydebank re-built's subsidiary, Clydebank Property Company acquired 16 acres of the former East Yard along with the 'A' listed Titan Crane. This area was identified for education and business use.

As part of their brief to assist Clydebank re-built to direct the nature, scale and quality of development along the riverside and town centre, Page and Park Architects prepared a masterplan for the location known as the Queens Quay Enterprise & Learning District. At this point, it was confirmed that Clydebank College would relocate to a new building within the District.

During Spring 2005, a major £9M and two year programme began to decontaminate, prepare and service this extensive site. As this had been the area where the ships were built and launched, sheet piles had to be driven into the river bed and major civil engineering works undertaken to upfill the site.

The community was involved in designing the layout of the site and a key footpath respects the alignment of the old slipways where some of the great ships were launched. The community also wanted a riverside walkway incorporated into the development and a top quality public spaces. Both of these features are integral to the District. The last infrastructure contractor, Raynesway, finished the works programme in June 2007.

In addition to the site preparation, Clydebank re-built has taken the opportunity to prove Queens Quay as an attractive and competitive business location by undertaking a colonizer development. The new enterprise pavilion, now known as Titan Enterprise, provides 13 500 sq. ft of small office space suitable for start-ups and expanding young companies.

A further office building, Aurora House, is now complete. This offers businesses suites of up to 7 000 sq. ft. In addition, there is scope for at least two more office buildings, totalling around 100 000 sq. ft. Clydebank re-built welcomes proposals from development interests for the remaining serviced plots, including joint ventures.

The new Clydebank College extends over 5 acres and this £32 M building opened in August 2007 for its 10,000 full and part time students.