WHILE many people are unaware of what is going on behind the scenes, Glasgow has been redefining apartment living – and at the forefront is the new Buchanan Gardens development, situated at the top of the city's premier shopping street.

This is a development comprising 49, one and two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom duplexes, most of which will have private balconies and terraces. Residents will also have access to a gym, executive lounge – and the feature that tops them all, a unique sky garden.

Kath MacTaggart, leading landscape designer for BDP, the firm of architects that conceived Buchanan Gardens, explains: "Our design intention was not just to create a quiet haven for owners, but one that will also provide a valuable biodiversity resource that will attract and protect local wildlife."

Two, two-bedroom showflats – one designed and furnished by Bo Concept the other by John Lewis – are scheduled to open shortly. And with prices starting from £149,995 for a one-bedroom style (two-bedroom from £185,995 and three-bedroom duplex styles from around £295,000), this new level of luxury living does not come at a sky-high price.

Selling agent Savills has had around 1300 registered enquiries from as far afield as India, China and Canada.

"The volume of interest is astonishing, particularly as this is our first residential development in Glasgow," says Jan Eldridge, residential sales and marketing manager for Land Securities, which is investing £70 million on the site, which will include new retail units.

"This is an innovative project and each of the apartments within the development is bespoke in its tailoring and specification and has been priced accordingly," she adds.

To manage the volumes of interest, potential buyers are being invited to become VIP buyers by singing up to the Buchanan Gardens 'Q Club'. All registered members will receive the latest news and qualify for a range of exclusive benefits on purchase.

For more, visit www.buchanangardens.co.uk.

Over in the south side of the city, tucked away in the heart of the Broom Estate in Newton Mearns, the two apartment blocks that form Sandringham Court were built by Mactaggart & Mickel in 1939 and are among Glasgow's last remaining Art Deco masterpieces.

Now that this iconic property has undergone a radical re-development to create 12 outstanding two and three-bedroom Art Deco apartments and four penthouses with private outdoor terraces, it is likely to create high volumes of demand.

Surrounded by gated landscaped gardens, the magnificent Art Deco features have been restored and retained, together with modern features and fittings. The pitched roof has been replaced to ensure all penthouses have full height ceilings and windows to accommodate the terraces.

Other key features include a concierge service, lifts to all floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, private parking, garages and external secure storage.

Set over four floors including the penthouses, these apartments have spacious dining areas, designer kitchens and bathrooms, en-suite facilities and fitted wardrobes to all bedrooms.

But the star attraction of this development is the magnificent restoration of original Art Deco features – the bold geometric shapes, colours and ornamentation, most notable in the communal entrance hall, which is a vision in black, white and gleaming chrome and includes an original stone wall frieze, metalwork on doors, staircase and banister, and a simply wonderful Art Deco light.

Slater Hogg & Howison's Newton Mearns office is marketing this unique development and apartments in the first block range in price from £369,995 to £550,000 for a penthouse.

If you like Art Deco, you will love the new look Sandringham Court.