Architecture

There are many fascinating buildings in Glasgow’s city centre, with lots of landmarks illustrating the city's rich architectural heritage from the Victorian era. Arriving at Glasgow Central Station one of the first views is the Grand Central Hotel, designed by Edinburgh based architect Robert Rowand Anderson. The hotel, which can be entered directly from the station concourse, opened in 1884 its latest renovation having been completed in 2010. The hotel’s enormous sandstone clock tower dominates the corner of Gordon Street and Hope Street. The lead-clad summit is a particularly interesting feature not shared with any of its Metropolitan rivals. Along Gordon Street from Central Station's front entrance you will arrive at Mitchell Street, containing the former Glasgow Herald building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and completed in 1895. This building was re-modelled in 1999 to create a modernistic visitor centre for architecture and design, the Lighthouse. Originally designed for water storage for fire precaution, it now houses a spiral staircase leading to an observation platform.

James Miller lived in Glasgow for over 50 years, and developed into one of the city’s most versatile architects of the early twentieth century. Miller was a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and although he produced a lot of work in the city for a much lengthier period, his reputation hasn't survived as Mackintosh's has.