Meet the Team: iQ Elgin Place, Glasgow

Elgin Place in Glasgow opened its doors in the centre of Scotland's biggest (and greenest) city in 2017, and was the first iQ to be built from scratch. That means its residents have all kinds of facilities to enjoy, including a gym, creative studio, DJ space and a great roof terrace looking out across the city. Even better, there’s an awesome team of people to look after them – like Giordana, John and Shug, who we meet today…

Hey, it’s Giordana!

I’m Giordana and I am the Customer Service Assistant here. I help with bookings and I try to organise fun events for the folk who live here.

What makes Elgin Place a special place to live?

The team are awesome, we really engage with our residents and take an interest in them. Also, we are right in the middle of the city, so we are so close to literally everything entertainment-wise, too!

What are your favourite places to go in Glasgow?

We are really close to the Museum of Modern Art and the Lighthouse, another modern art centre, which are just incredible.

What’s your best memory of the last year at iQ?

I think my favourite moment so far is when we had a pub quiz in the Level 7 lounge. It was so much fun and loads of people came and got involved, it was nice to see people relaxing.

What’s the nicest thing a resident has said to you?

A few of our Master's students have said how much they are going to miss me when they leave at the end of the year. And another said she is always pleased when I say hi to her when she comes home, it makes her feel welcome.

What about Elgin Place are you most proud of?

Our residents are so generous, we did a charity drive where they donated backpacks full of things for a group called Homeless Street Team Glasgow – we got about 20 bags of donations.

What’s your favourite band/ TV show/ movie?

Well it WAS Game of Thrones until this disaster of a season. My favourite band, I’m not sure, but I’m into a little bit of everything. Movies, I’ve just got too many to choose from! I do own all the Marvel movies, though, if that’s any clue.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?

Well, I lived in China for the last two years and then after that I travelled around South East Asia for a bit – there were too many exciting things to list, I’d be here all day! Although I think my favourite thing was eating locust jam in China.

Any interesting facts about yourself?

I’m pretty good at making traditional Italian ice cream, my family has been making it for over 35 years and I did it for a couple of years too.

If you could give your younger self some advice about student life, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to talk to people, more often than not they are looking for a new friend, too!

 

Hey, it’s John!

I’m John, part of the housekeeping team at Elgin Place.

What’s your best memory of the last year at iQ?   

Seeing the face of a student who thought he’d lost his PlayStation when I handed it back to him.

What are your favourite places to go in Glasgow?

James McGrory Park, it’s my local grass roots football - team St Roch’s.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Making the imminent arrival of the new students comfortable.

What’s your favourite movie?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – the first film I ever saw on VHS tape!

What about Elgin Place are you most proud of?

I’m proud of the fact that being a small team in a large building, we accommodate and assist the needs of others.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?

Three Sisters Mountains in Glen Coe.

If you could give your younger self some advice about student life, what would it be?

Be dedicated to the aims you have as a young man, which I didn’t fulfil – I was going to be a football player.

Any interesting facts about yourself?

I jumped out of a small Cessna airplane from 12,000 feet up at St Andrews when I was 40.

What’s the nicest thing a resident has said to you?  

You’re the man, thanks so much! (The PlayStation guy!)

 

Hey, it’s Shug!

I’m Shug, the Maintenance Technician at Elgin Place.

What makes Elgin Place a special place to live?  

We have the best amenity spaces I’ve ever seen in a student accommodation.

What are your favourite places to go in Glasgow?

Celtic Park – it’s paradise.

What are you looking forward to this year?

Working with a new team, looking forward to meeting the new people coming to work here.

Where is the best place you have travelled to recently?  

Lanzarote.

What about Elgin Place are you most proud of?

It looks just as good as when it first opened, our team keeps it in tip-top condition.

What’s your favourite band/ TV show/ movie?

Band: Foo Fighters, TV Show: Game of Thrones, Film: Outlaw King.

Any interesting facts about yourself?

I can build a guitar from scratch.

What’s the nicest thing a resident has said to you?  

Someone who wrote in our suggestion box said, ‘Give Shug a pay rise’.

If you could give your younger self some advice about student life, what would it be?

Stay away from women, they’re nothing but trouble!

 

Thanks to Giordana, John and Shug for telling us all about themselves and what goes on at Elgin Place. Look out for our next Meet the Team soon – who knows, it could be yours…

 

Find out more about Elgin Place

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