Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Site Details Name: | The Merchants' House | City or county: | Glasgow | Country: | Scotland | Parish: | | Status: | A listed | Grid ref: | | Notes: | Sculptor: James Young.
The extensive block of buildings which will constitute the property of the Merchants’ House are intended to be three stories in height, with basement floor and attics. The north-east corner of the new portion of the building will be surmounted by an ornamental tower rising to a height of between 120 feet and 130 feet, whilst on the north-west there will be a tower of smaller dimensions. From West George Street, which will form the principal frontage, there will be two main entrances, one leading to the private and public offices of the company, and the other to the hall, 64 feet long by 33 feet broad, situate on the second floor. A number of retiring rooms for ladies and gentlemen will communicate with the hall; whilst on the eastern side there will be a neat orchestral gallery. The proposed accommodation may thus be briefly described:- On the first floor, a public office and a series of private rooms; on the second, the hall above mentioned, a board room, secretary’s room and a number of private rooms; and on the third, the offices of the head clerk, two public offices and several smaller rooms. Building operations have already commenced. [Builder 3 October 1874 p826] | Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes |  | Office | | |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes |  | George Square | Yes | |  | West George Street | Yes | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes |  | September 1874 | | Plans approved | Plans approved by Dean of Guild Court |  | 1875 | | Design exhibited | Competition designs |  | 1907 | 1909 | | Addition of upper storeys, alterations to tower and interior work |
PeopleDesign and ConstructionThe following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column. | | Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes |  | Campbell Douglas | Architect, Valuer | A | 1875 | | Unsuccessful competition design |  | Campbell Douglas & Sellars | Architectural practice | A | 1875 | | Unsuccessful competition design |  | James Sellars | Architect, Valuer | A | 1875 | | Unsuccessful competition design |  | John Burnet (senior) | Architect | B | 1875 | | Competition design |  | (Sir) John James Burnet | Architect | C | 1907 | 1909 | Addition of upper storeys, alterations to tower and interior work |  | John Burnet & Son | Architectural practice | C | 1907 | 1909 | Addition of upper storeys, alterations to tower and interior work |  | William John Blain | Architect | C | 1907 | 1909 | Addition of upper storeys, alterations to tower and interior work - as Chief Assistant to Sir John James Burnet |  | Alexander Buchanan Campbell | Architect | D | 1980s | | Alterations? |  | Alexander Buchanan Campbell & Partners | Architectural practice | D | 1980s | | Alterations |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts | 1875 | | | | 615 |  | Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts | 1876 | | | | 651 |  | McKenzie, Ray | 2002 | Public sculpture of Glasgow (Public sculpture of Great Britain series) | | Liverpool University Press | |  | RSA | 1875 | | | | 882 (Campbell Douglas & Sellars) |  | Williamson, Riches, Higgs | 1990 | Glasgow (The Buildings of Scotland) | | | p176 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 3 October 1874 | | | p826 - plans approved |  | Building Industries | 15 November 1907 | | | |  | Building News | 4 June 1874 | | | |  | Building News | 6 April 1877 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes |  | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 32689 | |  | NMRS | A Buchanan Campbell Collection | | Handlist of drawings |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | William John Blain: L v16 no1128 |
Images © All rights reserved. |