£1bn Glasgow University expansion hopes to bring new investment to city

A new £1 billion pound expansion of Glasgow University will help bring new investment to the city and create new civic spaces, according to the principal. Sir Anton Muscatelli compared the development of the Western Infirmary site to the move from High Street to Gilmorehill in the 19th century.He said it will create new facilities for teaching and world leading research and integrate the university campus into the west end and the city.The new extension to the campus will create new facilities, including a Learning and Teaching hub to be opened next year on University Avenue, it will be followed by a Research and Innovation Hub in 2020, an Institute for Health and Wellbeing and a new Adam Smith Business School, both in 2021, An Arts facility in 2021 and a new Engineering building in 2023. Professor Muscatelli outlined the plans at a Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow Talks event at the university. Professor Neal Juster, senior vice principal, said the university together with the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital can act as a catalyst for investment for Glasgow.The professor said the impact that the SEC and Hydro has had on the growth of Finnieston can be replicated a little further west.