Avant Homes reaches 15-year milestone at Oatlands development
Avant Homes has marked 15 years of success at its Richmond Gate development in Oatlands.
The development is built in a 32.2-acre area of Glasgow once characterised by four-storey tenements built at the end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century. The tenements were demolished in 1999 following unsuccessful refurbishments, leading to the need for one of Glasgow’s biggest and comprehensive regeneration developments.
Since the launch of the 1,391-home development in 2006, Avant Homes has completed 1,155 properties across a mixture of houses and apartments leading to the use of 453,000 roof tiles, 3.2m concrete blocks and 8,300 windows being used across the build to date.
The developer currently has 72 apartments under construction with a further 164 left to build. The development is set to be completed in 2023 and is expected to be home to up to 3,500 people with a projected gross development value of £220 million.
Not only has Avant Homes been working to regenerate the Oatlands area with new homes for more than 15 years, but the housebuilder has created a sought-after community with new amenities, improved links to the city and highly ranked schools.
Avant Homes Scotland sales and marketing director, Theresa Barbour, said: “Oatlands is a historic area that we have worked hard over the last 15 years to regenerate into a community that we and its residents can be proud of.
“With the build set to complete in 2023, we’re very pleased to have had the opportunity to preserve this area close to Glasgow, while also working to create a thriving outer-city culture that people want to call home.”
A part of the desirable community created by Avant Homes is the development’s artwork project, which will include four pieces of public art when Richmond Gate is completed. Avant Homes worked with public art consultant Ben Spencer to commission the pieces with local designers, schools and community groups.
The first art installation is located in Oatlands Square and was designed and hand-carved by international artist Kate Thomson. Named ‘River Spirit’, the sculpture was unveiled by actress Libby McArthur in 2015.
The second artwork is named ‘Oatlands Girl’, which is a four-metre-tall sculpture made from marine-grade stainless steel. Created by Scottish artist, Rob Mulholland alongside local residents and school children, ‘Oatlands Girl’ was unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon in 2016.
In spring 2021, ‘Upriver’ was revealed to the community on the corner of Shawfield Stadium and Richmond Park. The piece comprises two mast sculptures standing seven and 11 metres high with sails that were inspired by Glasgow Richmond Model Boat Club.
Planning for the fourth and final piece of public art is set to commence shortly and is due to be revealed when the Richmond Gate development is completed in 2023.
Theresa added: “Throughout our time building Richmond Gate, we’ve formed brilliant relationships with local people, groups and organisations, which is illustrated by the public art we have on display across the development.
“Working with Glasgow City Council as well as local artists and designers really fosters the sense of community spirit that we’re trying to create with the regeneration of Oatlands, and we can’t wait to see the completed development and artworks in 2023.”