Central Glasgow Map

Former Glasgow Evening News Building

67 Hope Street

Two Seated Female Figures and Associated Decorative Carving

Sculptor: Not Known

Sitting high above either side of the largely unoccupied office block are two female figures with shields, who appear to mirror each other exactly. It is unclear if they symbolize anything. Originally the home of Glasgow Evening News, we can also see a printing press and a pair of owls.

Atlantic Chambers 45 Hope Street

Columbia, Britannia and Associated Decorative Carving

The seven-storey red sandstone building is a transatlantic affair. The building itself is an imitation of the vertical elevator building-style synonymous with Chicago. Perched on the facade are the figures of both Columbia and Britannia. Both carry shields baring their respective nation’s flags.

Caledonian Chambers 75-95 Union Street

Sculptor: Albert Hemstock Lodge

This particular Atlas figure supports one of the projecting first-floor balconies on a large seven-storey commercial building that was designed for the Caledonian Railway Company at the turn of the century. The figures are naked and crouching because this was seen to be expressive of their role as load-bearings, reminding us why we don’t miss Victorian working conditions. The right atlas was heartlessly maimed by the insertion of a scaffold pole in spring 2000.

Second Caledonian Railway Bridge Near Central Station

Engineer: Donald A. Matheson & Sir John Wolfe Barry

The Caledonian Railway Company was keen to develop, and in 1905 the ‘New Clyde Viaduct as it was originally known, was opened alongside the first bridge, giving a total of 13 tracks into Central Station. At one time it was the widest railway-over-river-bridge in the country. Before opening, it was load-tested with 19 locomotives.

1-11 Renfield Street

Quadriga and Winter allegorical figures

Sculptor: William Birnie Rhind

This retail block on Renfield Street is adorned by charming yellow sandstone figures. The centrepiece is a Roman chariot, known as a quadriga. The walls of the dome feature a set of female figures symbolising Summer and Winter. To faithfully represent the Scottish climate, we have chosen to include only the Winter figure.

42-50 Gordon Street

Relief of Athena

Sculptor: unknown

Athena is shown here in full garb, wearing a helmet, an armoured breastplate, and a classical tunic, as well as holding a spear and a daunting miniature fortress. She is accompanied by an owl, a snake, and a tree; the owl and fortress are especially relevant as the building was originally built to house the Royal Exchange Assurance Company.