Glasgow is home to some of the most stunning architecture you can find in Scotland - ranging from the sixth century all the way to Victorian-era, today we wanted to look at some of the most beautiful buildings in Glasgow, exploring their history and design.
Just as you can tell the history of a tree by counting it’s rings, you can count the history and culture of a city through it’s longest standing and proudest buildings - and Glasgow is in no short supply of stupendous and awe-inspiring structures. Designed by legendary architects like Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson both having made their mark on the landscape of the city.
From the ancient religious Glasgow Cathedral to the one-of-a-kind Venetian-Victorian inspired Templeton on the Green - these 12 structures should give an insight into the city of Glasgow when they were built.
Whether the city was in the midst of the merchant boom from Atlantic trade, or under a thick cloud of smog as workers toiled away upon the Clyde - architecture has always been appreciated by the people of Glasgow.
From the ancient religious Glasgow Cathedral to the one-of-a-kind Venetian-Victorian inspired Templeton on the Green - these 12 structures should give an insight into the city of Glasgow when they were built.
9. The Glasgow School of Art
The art school was originally founded in Glasgow in January, 1845. However, the famous Mackintosh building (designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh) underwent a fire “so fierce and all-consuming that the cause can never be known conclusively” according to the Guardian. Reports claim that the building will reopen as a graduate school in 2030.
10. The People's Palace and Winter Gardens (1898)
Opened in 1898 as a palace for the people of Glasgow. It originally had a reading and recreation room on the ground floor, with the museum exclusively on the first floor. It has since been restored several times, with the whole space being a museum, with the Winter Gardens reserved to being a large garden area. Statues were commissioned to represent the industry, science, and artistry of Glasgow designed by William Kellock Brown. The opening ceremony was hosted by Lord Rosebery who described it as: "A palace of pleasure and imagination around which the people may place their affections and which may give them a home on which their memory may rest". He declared the building "Open to the people for ever and ever" Photo: John Devlin
11. Egyptian Halls (1870-1872)
Designed by Glasgow’s own architect, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson, the Egyptian Halls are a category A-listed building and have been empty for more than 40 years. It was originally a commercial building, which due to its city centre location, drew in crowds in the thousands in its day. The building is more than 150-years-old and despite being more classical greek in design, it was named the Egyptian Halls. The halls were one of the Glaswegian architect’s proudest works, and contained a lecture room, bazaar, and a large central hall where displays of paintings and antiquities were staged, including the display of the complete Egyptian tomb of Thebes.
12. Charing Cross Mansions (1891)
Charing Cross Mansions are one of the city's oldest and grandest red sandstone tenements, built in 1891.