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Glasgow City Chambers

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DutchLassie
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5 out of 5
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Glasgow City Chambers

  • August 8, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Drever from Ayr
Glasgow City Chambers

To the East of George Square lies the 'powerhouse’ of Glasgow - the City Chambers, home to the City Council. This is one of the most impressive public buildings in the UK.

Buildings began to appear in George Square in1781. Eventually it became the centre of a bustling city, which prospered in the industrial revolution by trading in fabrics, tobacco and shipbuilding. The Square is still the heart of the city, both geographically and spiritually.

Here the City Chambers decided to build their new civic building. In 1883, William Young from nearby Paisley won the design competition and, received £150,000, a large sum in those days, initially to build the new City Chambers. However the final bill came to nearer £600,000! Just five years later in 1888, Queen Victoria performed the opening ceremony in front of 600,000 people.

Although the frontage of the building looks impressive the interior is sheer opulence. To see it get on a guided tour. These free tours, take place at 1030 and 1430 through the week and last about 45 minutes. They receive little publicity but 25 people were in the group with me.

Architect Young had visited the historical arch of Constantine in Rome and the entrance reflects this. The reception area sets an atmosphere demanding hushed respect through the stunning use of mosaics and marbles. Marble appears not only in the City's Coat of Arms on the entrance floor but throughout the building, reminiscent of grand Venetian palaces. The pillars are, from the base, grey Aberdeen granite, hand polished red Scottish granite topped with dark-green marble in Ionic style.

The marble staircases lead on to beautiful rooms with ornate Wedgewood ceilings and hardwood panelling.

The dignified Council Chamber has panelled walls of Spanish hardwood. Each of 79 councillors has a reserved seat facing a platform where the Lord Provost, Depute Lord Provost and Chief Executive sit behind the mace. The Chamber has a quirky design. Small areas known as 'Bed Recesses' provide Council officials with sitting space though it suggests something else!

Next to the Council Chamber is the Satinwood Salon used as the ‘municipal drawing room’. Finished with Australian satinwood it boasts an alabaster fireplace. The paintings on the walls are from the city’s art collection. Adjoining this room is the Octagonal Room, decorated in amber wood it acts as an overflow room to the Satinwood and Mahogany salons. This latter room owes its dark colour to its Cuban mahogany and walnut panels.


The Upper Gallery on the third floor offers a close view of the beautiful dome visible from the other floors. Also on view here are the portraits of all the previous Lord Provosts of the City of Glasgow.

Without doubt however, the arched Banqueting Hall is the 'Jewel in the Crown', a magnificent cornucopia of colour and grandeur with acoustics that Opera singers would die for. Here Nelson Mandela to name but one, received the Freedom of the City. Much of the decorations on the walls are in the form of huge murals depicting some of the history of the city. The central window of leaded Venetian glass on the north side commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.

Only a visit to the City Chambers can do justice to this building, as words cannot begin to explain the design and colour nuances and the sense of history that awaits the visitor at every turn.

From journal Glasgow City of Culture

Glasgow City Chambers

  • January 15, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by DutchLassie from Glasgow, United Kingdom
Glasgow's City Hall is a magnificent building. It was built with the money from the rich tobacco lords and opened by Queen Victoria. Even though this is the place of business for the Glasgow Lord Provost (mayor) and his council, free (!!) guided tours are given twice a week. Enthusiastic guides show you all the nooks and crannies of this beautiful building. One of the highlights is a magnificent marble staircase that has been used as a backdrop for many movies, as it closely resembles the one in the Vatican. I have taken the tour several times when I have had visitors, and it was enjoyed by all age groups.

From journal Free Glasgow!

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