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Architect: Alexander "Greek" Thomson, 1857-59.
Dramatically built on one of Glasgow's hills, but now with rampant buddleia and in need of restoration.
Part of the Alexander Thomson Heritage Trail. Grosvenor House, Gordon Street opposite Central Station.
Alexander "Greek" Thomson's The Knowe. This is just someone's house so if anyone wants me to take this photo down I will.
"The Knowe is a large rambling villa situated at the corner of Albert Drive and Shields Road in Pollokshields. It was built in 1853 and extended in 1858.
The Knowe was designed in 1850 while Thomson was in partnership with his brother-in-law John Baird. This was before he had fully developed his now familiar neo-Greek style, which he perfected while working with his brother George from 1856 onwards. The villa's Italianate styling is still very original and when looked at in comparison with some of Thomson's later houses, illustrates the evolution of his idiosyncratic domestic architecture."
On this day, Alexander "Greek" Thomson was born (9 April 1817). He was an eminent Scottish architect and a pioneer of sustainable building. He earned his nickname by using Greek Ionic styles in his designs. Alexander died in Glasgow on 22nd March 1875 at his home at no.1 Moray Place in the terrace he had himself designed.
In the picture, Holmwood House, the finest and most elaborate residential villa designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson.
Part of the Alexander Thomson Heritage Trail. Grosvenor House, Gordon Street opposite Central Station.
Architect: Alexander "Greek" Thomson, 1863.
The detailing round the front doors is mirrored on the floors above. Probably not his most memorable work, the anthemia above each first floor window too small to have a positive impact.
Taken fairly early in the morning, when the north façade was lit by oblique sunshine.
Part of the Alexander Thomson Heritage Trail. Grosvenor House, Gordon Street opposite Central Station.
This image shows the attempts to renew the steps with modern blocks laid down across the originals. Over the course of the flight of stairs there are numerous different "resurfaced" blocks degrading the original architecture.
The Sixty Steps were designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson in the 1870s to provide access to the origianl Queen Margaret Bridge, connecting Kelvinside Terrace and Garriochmill Road. Unfortunately the Queen Margaret Bridge no longer stands and all that remains are the brick foundations on either side of the River Kelvin.
Part of the Alexander Thomson Heritage Trail. Grosvenor Building on Gordon Street opposite Central Station.
The Heritage Trail plaque situate towards the bottom of the steps.
The Sixty Steps were designed by Alexander "Greek" Thomson in the 1870s to provide access to the origianl Queen Margaret Bridge, connecting Kelvinside Terrace and Garriochmill Road. Unfortunately the Queen Margaret Bridge no longer stands and all that remains are the brick foundations on either side of the River Kelvin.
Caledonia Road Church in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. The internet reveals:
"Caledonia Road Church, Gorbals, was Alexander Thomson's first church in the city, built in 1857. It has an unconventional asymmetric layout which follows the edges of the surrounding roads. It is built in an unusual combination of styles with ancient Greek and provincial Italian elements placed side by side. The tower of the church is completely original, following no historical precedents. The classical Greek style did not feature towers and it is unlikely that Thomson would have found any examples from antiquity to guide him in his design.
The depopulation of the Gorbals left the church without a congregation by 1962, after which it was purchased by Glasgow Corporation for a mere £3700 in 1963. The church was severely damaged by fire on the night of 30th October 1965. The arson attack took place shortly after consultants had estimated the cost of restoration of the empty building at around £90,000. The shell of the church still survives and is now floodlit at night to become one of Glasgow's architectural attractions.
The church & hall were built for a local congregation of the United Presbyterian Church, previously based at Wellington Place Academy, Commercial Road.
The church fronted Caledonia Road, flanked either side by tenements in Cathcart Road and Hospital Street, designed by Thomson as part of a new development beside Southside railway terminus. The banded masonry of the church tower was extended into the adjoining tenement blocks to give an eye catching horizontality to the completed design scheme.
At the very top level, right, the tower features some intricate carvings around the space that was intended for the clock which was never installed."
Designed by Alexander Thomson for the United Presbyterian Church, 1857-59. Heron House behind: Derek Stephenson & Partners, 1967-71; offices re-clad and converted to residential (re-named The Pinnacle) by S M Developments, 2002-04.
RCAHMS info: canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/133579/details/glasgow+265+...
Historic Scotland list description: hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=33150
Just look at those eaves.
There has been a bereavement in the family who own Tor House. I didn't want to intrude with my camera and Thomson enthusiam.
Egyptian Halls, 84-100 Union Street, Glasgow. Warehouse designed by Alexander Thomson in 1870 for James Robertson. Built 1871-3.
Historic Scotland list description: hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=33208
RCAHMS historical info: canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/126676/details/glasgow+84+1...
Dictionary of Scottish Architects entry: www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=214202
Owners/developers' website: www.egyptianhalls.co.uk/
Designed by Alexander Thomson, 1857-59, for the United Presbyterian Church.
RCAHMS info: canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/133579/details/glasgow+265+...
Historic Scotland list description: hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=33150
No 99-107 West Nile St is home to one of Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's earliest commercial buildings. Built in 1858, designed as a small office block and warehouse, it is now home to two barber shops and a drinks retailer .
The stonework is etched with what would become his signature carved designs, while the top floor windows are held in Thomson's typical colonnade.
Oops, didn't think they'd noticed me. Anyway, the 'monument' is actually the vent pipe for a public convenience - it is not on its original site.
From www.deptford.towntalk.co.uk/about/places_of_interest.php
'The column is of an Egyptian pattern by McFarlane's Castings of Glasgow and modelled on a design by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson for six lamp standards outside his Egyptian Halls, Glasgow. This and an identical pipe at Clifton Rise, New Cross (not the original site) are the only examples of the Scottish architect's work in England.'