Glasgow, though often considered the ugly sister to Edinburgh and Aberdeen, nevertheless has some very beautiful buildings.
Many date from the late 19th century, when the city became famous as the “Second City of the British Empire”, and some of these have recently been redeveloped after years of disuse.
Some of the city’s other striking edifices are new developments, for example, along the Clyde Waterfront.
Grand Central Hotel
Grand Central Hotel, or Central Hotel as it was originally called, fronts part of the Glasgow Central railway station in the heart of the city.
With its prime location and reputation for style and quality, it was one of the city’s most impressive and prestigious hotels, boasting many notable guests - including Frank Sinatra and Winston Churchill.
Designed by Robert Rowand Anderson, the hotel was completed in 1883, with an extension designed by James Miller opening 24 years later. The hotel’s façade was built in the ‘Queen Anne Style’ – a homage to the baroque elegance of the 17th century.
An A-listed building, it was closed in 2009 for refurbishment and reopened by the Principal Hayley Group in 2010 to continue serving as the city’s most glamourous accomodations .
Union Bank of Scotland
Completed in 1927, the Union Bank of Scotland was one of the first of the new American-inspired steel-framed buildings to be built in Glasgow.
Steel was gradually replacing cast iron, especially in taller multi-storey structures, due to its lighter weight and higher tensile strength.
Designed by James Miller, the impressive structure was originally built for the Union Bank. It has several notable elements, including the superb Ionic columns which stretch over three storeys.
The building was redeveloped in 2005 and subsequently opened in 2007 with six floors of office space. Only the original facades and banking hall remain.
The SSE Hydro
Located in the trendy district of Finnieston to the east of the city centre, the SSE Hydro arena opened in September 2013.
Designed by architects Foster and Partners, it is one of the largest entertainment venues in Scotland at 125 metres wide, 45 metres tall and with a seated capacity of 12,000.
Its distinctive silver-domed design is based on Greek and Roman amphitheatres and the translucent materials used for the exterior allow it to emanate any combination of coloured lights at night, adding its celestial appearance.
The SSE Hydro is due to host the MTV Europe Music Awards in November 2014 as well as netball and gymnastics events during the Commonwealth Games.
200 Broomielaw
One of the new commercial developments on the Clyde Waterfront, 200 Broomielaw has 7,382 metres square of high-quality office space arranged over nine floors.
Offering riverside views to the front, the contemporary structure is designed to be light, airy and spacious. The sandstone exterior is enclosed in an elegant curved glass wall.
200 Broomielaw is accessed via an impressive 7-storey atrium on the riverfront. The building also includes over 30 car parking spaces and a security system linked to the city centre CCTV system.
It is occupied by ACE INA UK and Atkins.
The Briggait
The Briggait, located in Glasgow’s Merchant City, was built in 1872-1873 and extended in 1899 and 1903.
For over a hundred years it functioned as the city’s fish market, before the market moved in 1977 and the building was converted into a shopping centre, which closed soon afterwards.
After laying neglected for some twenty years, the magnificent cast iron, glass-roofed structure was redeveloped by Wasp Studios, with funding from various quarters including Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund.
Completed in 2009, the A-listed Briggait now has over 5,500 metres of space housing artists’ studios, offices for cultural organisations and exhibition space - all of which centre around the beautiful public courtyard, maintained in its original style and glory.