AN award-winning hospitality concept that combines a four-star hotel, extended stay and student rooms, work and event spaces, and a community kitchen, is to make its UK debut in Glasgow’s Merchant City this April, creating 80 local jobs.
The Social Hub Glasgow will be the 18th property to open in Europe for the Amsterdam-based company, which currently operates locations in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain.
But the company has Scottish roots – it was founded by entrepreneur Charlie MacGregor, who grew up in Edinburgh.
“I am so proud to be launching The Social Hub in the country I grew up in and where I began my professional career, getting hands-on experience and inspiring a business model that evolved into what is now The Social Hub,” said MacGregor.
“As pioneers in the hybrid hospitality industry, I am excited to be back home and to see the impact our Glasgow Hub will bring to the community through our spaces and experiences, ones that blur the boundaries of traditional hospitality offerings through our relentless ambition to create a better society, together with all those who walk through our doors.”
The Glasgow operation – on the Candleriggs Square space that previously housed the ‘Festival Village’ pop up – is being created with an investment of over £90 million. With 494 rooms, the newly built 20,000 square-metre hub has been designed to ‘inspire and connect creative minds through curated spaces designed to capture the city’s gritty material’.
On opening, it is promised that The Social Hub Glasgow will also feature one of the city’s largest rooftop bars, as well as a ‘laid-back’ restaurant and bar serving a range of international and locally-inspired food and drink options throughout the day.
“Hotel guests will revel in the energy and community of The Social Hub, where everyone has the freedom to be themselves,” said the company.
“There are also a number of extended stay studios featuring in-room kitchenettes, ideal for digital nomads and extended business travellers, who may fancy a quiet night in once in a while. The average nightly room rate for a hotel stay is £105.”
The Hub’s student accommodation is said to offer an ‘unforgettable, full-service experience’, enhanced by a program of community events tailored for the mind, body and soul, access to a community kitchen with all utensils, onsite laundry, study spaces, gym membership, monthly linen and room cleaning services, high-speed Wi-Fi utilities and maintenance, and free bike rentals.
There will also be room for up to 222 co-workers daily, provided under a variety of arrangements, from flexible memberships, to dedicated desks, through to 20 private offices.
“Members of The Social Hub become part of a global community of ambitious creatives, digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and start-ups changing the world,” declared the company. “They will have the option to work in quiet and flexible spaces or brainstorm in private, expandable meeting rooms. Membership also includes use of the gym and the ability to join in a range of networking events and workshops ensuring an inspiring space where connections grow, ideas spark and change happens.”
Eight flexible meeting and event spaces totalling 1500 square-metres will be available to hire for ‘small brainstorms to larger scale conferences in an auditorium – anything is possible at The Social Hub’.
