Glasgow's historic buildings 'are being demolished too hastily' |
On Tuesday morning, they had gathered at the corner of Glasgow's Gordon Street and West Regent Street to bear witness to the final agonies of the Union Corner building as it fought to stay on its feet. Almost two full days after this 175-year-old B-listed landmark had been consumed by a fire which is believed to have begun in a ground-floor vaping shop, firefighters were still in the process of dousing the embers. There are around 50 onlookers and it’s clear that they’re not here merely to gawp and make smartphone footage. They were silent, as though present at the bedside of a loved one whose last breath is imminent. Two streets away, a similar scene was unfolding looking down on the dying building from the corner of Renfield Street and West George Street.
Occasionally, the sun catches a water-jet through one of its window sockets and it begins to look majestic once more. We all know, though, that while three storeys of its stone curvature remain, it’s probably a goner. By this time, Susan Aitken, the leader of Glasgow City Council and John Swinney, the First Minister, have more or less conferred the last rites by talking about safety being paramount and difficult decisions.
Within 72 hours, the worst fears of many Glaswegians are confirmed as a demolition crew began bearing the remains of yet another of the city’s architectural jewels to the grave. At moments like these it’s tempting to mock the sentimentality and affection that Glasgow’s citizens have for their built heritage. What can they know of what’s considered architecturally important and what’s not? What do they know of aesthetics who live on off-the-peg housing estates?
A demolition crew begin bringing the building down (Image: Colin Mearns)
Well, quite a lot as it turns out. And not only do they know what looks good in their city and what doesn’t; these historic buildings form the backdrop to the big moments in our lives. Lately, they’ve become alarmed at how many of them are coming down, and how quickly. This and their replacement by brick shoe-boxes conveying all the aesthetic charm of mini nuclear power stations.
My own (admittedly rudimentary) straw poll of my fellow citizens about what they think will replace the Union Corner elicits a dismissive “more student flats”.
Among the mourners is the Glasgow MSP Paul Sweeney who has become the de facto chief advocate for conserving the city’s built heritage. He’s taken up more or less permanent residence here over the course of the week. His visibility and intimate knowledge of........