Living the High Life in North Glasgow

EVERY time we hear about multi storey flats in Glasgow it’s usually about them being demolished or being a blot on the landscape but that’s certainly not the case with the multi storey properties that are managed by ng homes in North Glasgow.

ng homes is responsible for 14 multi storeys in the area and 4 of those blocks are located at the highest point in the city at Balgrayhill overlooking Springburn Park. With two 26-storey blocks containing 200 flats and two 25-storey blocks containing 192 flats almost 400 families live in the striking tower blocks which were officially opened by the late Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1968.

In 2011 the ownership of the multi storeys transferred to ng homes and they have invested £3M in the buildings in the four years since.

That investment has seen the blocks transformed with the foyers which were exposed to the elements for over 40 years, now enclosed, community spaces have been created where residents can meet, and the entrance areas outside the buildings have been upgraded to a high standard as have the internal landings. As well as the improvements made to the common areas each flat has also benefitted from both external and internal wall insulation and work is also ongoing at the moment to renew the lifts in the blocks.

Each flat has a controlled door-entry system and the flats are serviced by two lifts. There is also a drying area situated on each floor as well as chutes for the disposal of household waste and Fridays are designated as recycling days.

Many residents in Balgrayhill have commented that when they walk into their buildings now they feel like an upmarket hotel or luxury tower apartment complex.

Alec Chambers has lived in the flats at Balgrayhill since 1989 and he reckons there’s no better place to live, he said: “Its quiet up here which is great. I’m on the very top in my block and the views are fantastic.” Alec also praised the concierge service saying: “whenever I have needed them they have been very good.”

Neighbours Pat Forsyth and Eleanor Baggley live at 42 Viewpoint Place and they have seen many changes to the buildings over the years.

Eleanor was one of the first tenants who moved into the flats when they were built in 1967 with her family. She said: “We moved from a tenement with an outside loo so these flats were luxury – a house with a bath was just amazing to us back then. We have had new kitchens, new bathrooms, and rewiring, new windows, all as a result of the transfer to ng homes. We are in the process of getting new lifts so that will be another major improvement. I absolutely love my flat and I think these blocks in Balgrayhill are the best out of all the multi-storeys in the city.”

Pat said: “I’ve lived here for about 30 years and it’s a great place to live. For me, one of the best things about living in the flats is the bus stop is right on your doorstep so you can go anywhere. The views are magnificent too, we can see as far as the Erskine Bridge and the Campsie Hills. We also feel safe living here with the concierge just a phone call away.”

A 24Hr concierge service is provided to over 1,100 customers who live in ng homes’ multi storey and deck access properties. The main aim of the service is to make sure everyone feels safe and secure in their homes and are happy living in the North Glasgow community.

The service is operational 24 hours each day, 7 days per week and 365 days each year from a newly expanded and refurbished control room equipped with the latest technology in the heart of the multi storey area at Lenzie Place. This is where highly trained staff operate state of the art CCTV cameras and other technology to focus on the services that tenants say are important to them, namely to feel safe and secure in their homes and communities.

The 28-strong concierge team work around the clock responding to residents’ needs and enquiries. Just some of their duties include monitoring smoke alarms and responding to activations, fire alarm testing, lift alerts, door entry control and intercom communications with the residents and security patrols. Full janitorial services are also provided ensuring all blocks and surrounding areas are kept clean and tidy.

Chairperson of ng homes John Fury who also lives in a multi storey property in the Carron area of Springburn said: “We are committed to the multi storey properties in North Glasgow and with our ongoing investment programme in technology to improve our services to tenants, residents and anyone who uses our Multi Storey Flats we continue to make them a great place to live.”

Neighbourhood Manager Janice Ellison said: “Our Concierge team deliver a great service to our residents and we continue to listen to our residents so we can keep improving. The Concierge team are committed to providing the best possible service and they take great pride in how the multi storey flats are managed and maintained in North Glasgow”.

With schooling both at primary and secondary levels within the area, local amenities including Springburn Leisure Centre and library and the 77 acre Springburn Park right on their doorstep there is a lot to be said for living in the multi storeys at Balgrayhill. Not to mention the magnificent views across the city and stunning vistas of the Campsie hills - there’s always something to see from the windows at Balgrayhill.

Shops nearby include the St Rollox Superstores Costco, Tesco and Lidl with local shopping centre Park Gate also just a short stroll away.

Public transport includes both bus and rail links to the city centre and surrounding areas.

If you would like more information on living in the multi storey flats at Balgrayhill please contact Housing Operations at ng homes on 0141 560 6000 or e-mail info@nghomes.net.