Ten years ago today, on 23rd July 2014, the world's spotlight shone on Glasgow. The 2014 XX Commonwealth Games officially opened marking a turning point for the city, particularly for the East End. At Mac Mic Group, we are proud to have been part of the team that delivered a lasting legacy – the £150m Athletes' Village.
From Vision to Thriving Community: Planning for a Sustainable Future
From the outset, our focus wasn't just on planning and delivering 700 homes (400 for social rental and 300 for private sale) in a record 700 days, but on creating a thriving community that would serve the athletes for the Games and future residents for generations to come. As part of the City Legacy consortium, made up of Mac Mic Group, CCG, Cruden Homes West and The Malcom Group, we brought our expertise in planning and construction to the table.
The Power of Collaboration: Design with Purpose
Meticulous planning went into the design of the overall development and the living spaces that catered to the specific needs of elite athletes during the Games. However, equally important was ensuring these spaces could be transformed into comfortable and sustainable homes in a place where people want to live and thrive after long after the Games. To help achieve City Legacy’s vision, we assembled a team of experts. We want to take this opportunity to thank the design team, our consultants, subcontractors and partners who played a key role in the success of this project.
Unprecedented Demand: A Community Takes Root
The popularity of the Athletes' Village exceeded expectations. Homes in this thoughtfully designed community proved to be a hit with buyers, selling out in record time – within just six months of the first private homes being released!
Building for the Future: Sustainability at its Core
In April 2017, City Legacy was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category for the Athletes' Village. The award reflected the numerous energy efficiency measures that were incorporated at the Athletes’ Village, such as solar panels, a ventilation and heat recovery system to recycle air and heat, and a district heating scheme that supplies instant heat and constant hot water and is around 40 per cent more efficient than normal heating schemes. This forward-thinking approach resulted in a remarkable 95% reduction in carbon emissions compared to 2007 levels – a testament to our collective commitment to both performance and sustainability.
The Queen’s Award was the 25th accolade that the Athletes’ Village won for its high-quality design, sustainability, and the role it played in the regeneration of Glasgow’s East End.
A Transformation Beyond the Games
The positive impact of the Games extended far beyond the Athletes' Village. A new train station, new primary school, 120-bed care home for the elderly. thriving businesses, the Emirates Arena, new riverside walkways, open green spaces including the Cuningar Loop park, a new community Hub and a surge in employment opportunities – all stand as testaments to the lasting legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Team England Claims Top Honours
While Scotland enjoyed a phenomenal performance securing a record-breaking haul of 19 gold medals, contributing to the overall 53 medals won, it was Team England who emerged victorious at the 2014 Games winning 58 gold and a grand total of 174 medals.
A Decade On: A Legacy that Endures
A decade has passed since the Games and The Village continues to thrive. We're delighted to see the community blossom and prosper, a direct result of the successful planning. This project serves as a model for sustainable development in the years to come. As a company with a 99-year history of delivering high-quality homes and communities for generations, we are proud of the role we played in shaping this legacy in Glasgow’s East End.