Glasgow Tower
The Glasgow Tower, completed in 2001, at 127 m (417 ft) tall
St Andrew House
St Andrew House, completed in 1964 and 71 m (233 ft) tall
Cineworld
Cineworld Glasgow, the tallest cinema complex in the world at 62 m (203 ft) tall

This is a list of tallest buildings in Glasgow which are at least 40m (131ft) in height and above in the largest city in Scotland. The current tallest structure, at 127 metres (417 ft), is the Glasgow Tower within the Glasgow Science Centre. They include buildings ranging from 1960s tower blocks, to new office developments such as 1 Atlantic Square, St Andrew House, the Argyle Building and the Livingstone Tower. The tallest building ever to have stood in Glasgow was the 91 m (299 ft) tall Tait Tower in Bellahouston, built for the Empire Exhibition of 1938, but pulled down the following year.

Faced with crippling housing shortages and overcrowding in the immediate post-war period, the city undertook the building of multi-storey housing in tower blocks in the 1960s and early 1970s on a grand scale, which led to Glasgow becoming the first truly high-rise city in Britain. However, many of these schemes were poorly planned and cheaply constructed, which led to many of the blocks becoming unsanitary magnets for crime and deprivation.[1]

It would not be until 1988 that high-rises were built in the city once again, with the construction of the 17-storey Forum Hotel (latterly the Moat House International Hotel, and now the Crowne Plaza Hotel) next to the SECC. The 20-storey Hilton Hotel in Anderston followed in 1992. From the early 1990s, Glasgow City Council and its successor, the Glasgow Housing Association, have run a programme of demolishing the worst of the residential tower blocks, including Basil Spence's Gorbals blocks in 1993.[2]

Since the late 1990s, property developers have been planning new upmarket residential and office high-rises along the River Clyde, and in the city's financial district, which would far surpass these in height. Several proposed skyscrapers, such as Elphinstone Place which would have become the cities and Scotland's tallest, were cancelled due to financial reasons.

Glasgow skyline

Glasgow City Centre skyline

The term "tallest building in Glasgow" is itself ambiguous. Currently, two structures in the city have made a claim for the title depending on which measurement is used:

  • The Glasgow Tower as part of the Glasgow Science Centre on Prince's Dock on the South Bank of the River Clyde, holds the overall title as the tallest free-standing structure in Glasgow, and the whole of Scotland at a height of 127 m (417 ft), however this measurement includes the structure's spire. It holds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest tower in the world in which the whole structure is capable of rotating 360 degrees.[3]
  • Since the demolition in 2015 of both the Red Road Flats and the Bluevale/Whitevale twin towers, the two western tower blocks of the 26-storey Balgrayhill high-rise estate in Springburn are the tallest buildings within the Glasgow city boundary. [4]

Tallest completed buildings and structures

Tallest buildings

Rank Name Image Height Coordinates Floors Year Primary use Notes
1Glasgow Tower127 m (417 ft)55°51′33″N 4°17′46″W / 55.859248°N 4.296229°W / 55.859248; -4.296229 (Glasgow Tower/Millennium Tower)22001Viewing PlatformHolds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest tower in the world in which the whole structure is capable of rotating 360 degrees.[5][6]
2Glasgow University Tower85 m (279 ft)55°52′17″N 4°17′19″W / 55.871348°N 4.288641°W / 55.871348; -4.288641 (University of Glasgow)?1887University[7][6]
3=22 Viewpoint Place78 m (256 ft)55°53′28″N 4°13′48″W / 55.891233°N 4.229900°W / 55.891233; -4.229900 (Balgrayhill)261964ResidentialLocated in Springburn.[8][6]
3=42 Viewpoint Place78 m (256 ft)55°53′28″N 4°13′48″W / 55.891233°N 4.229900°W / 55.891233; -4.229900 (Balgrayhill)261964ResidentialLocated in Springburn.[8][6]
3=120 Wyndford Road78 m (256 ft)55°53′15″N 4°17′44″W / 55.887451°N 4.295517°W / 55.887451; -4.295517 (Wyndford Road)261964ResidentialLocated in Wyndford.[9][6]
3=151 Wyndford Road78 m (256 ft)55°53′15″N 4°17′44″W / 55.887451°N 4.295517°W / 55.887451; -4.295517 (Wyndford Road)261964ResidentialLocated in Wyndford.[9][6]
3=171 Wyndford Road78 m (256 ft)55°53′15″N 4°17′44″W / 55.887451°N 4.295517°W / 55.887451; -4.295517 (Wyndford Road)261964ResidentialLocated in Wyndford.[9][6]
3=190 Wyndford Road78 m (256 ft)55°53′15″N 4°17′44″W / 55.887451°N 4.295517°W / 55.887451; -4.295517 (Wyndford Road)261964ResidentialLocated in Wyndford.[9][6]
3=15 Croftbank Street78 m (256 ft)55°53′00″N 4°13′28″W / 55.883351°N 4.224550°W / 55.883351; -4.224550 (Springburn)261964ResidentialLocated in Springburn.[8][6]
3=250 Edgefauld Road78 m (256 ft)55°53′00″N 4°13′28″W / 55.883351°N 4.224550°W / 55.883351; -4.224550 (Springburn)261964ResidentialLocated in Springburn.[8][6]
11=2 Taylor Place75 m (246 ft)55°51′54″N 4°14′39″W / 55.864951°N 4.244064°W / 55.864951; -4.244064 (Townhead)251967ResidentialLocated in Townhead.[10][6]
11=15 Grafton Place75 m (246 ft)55°51′54″N 4°14′39″W / 55.864951°N 4.244064°W / 55.864951; -4.244064 (Townhead)251967ResidentialLocated in Townhead.[10][6]
11=12 Dobbie's Loan Place[10][6]75 m (246 ft)55°51′54″N 4°14′39″W / 55.864951°N 4.244064°W / 55.864951; -4.244064 (Townhead)251967ResidentialLocated in Townhead.[10][6]
11=7 St. Mungo Place[10][6]75 m (246 ft)55°51′54″N 4°14′39″W / 55.864951°N 4.244064°W / 55.864951; -4.244064 (Townhead)251967ResidentialLocated in Townhead.[10][6]
11=178 Balgrayhill Road75 m (246 ft)55°53′28″N 4°13′48″W / 55.891233°N 4.229900°W / 55.891233; -4.229900 (Balgrayhill)251964ResidentialHighest man-made point above sea level within Glasgow city boundary. Located in Springburn.[8][6]
11=198 Balgrayhill Road75 m (246 ft)55°53′28″N 4°13′48″W / 55.891233°N 4.229900°W / 55.891233; -4.229900 (Balgrayhill)251964ResidentialHighest man-made point above sea level within Glasgow city boundary. Located in Springburn.[8][6]
17Glasgow City Chambers73 m (240 ft)55°51′39″N 4°14′55″W / 55.860957°N 4.248511°W / 55.860957; -4.248511 (Glasgow City Chambers)41889Government Building[11][6]
18St. Andrew House71 m (233 ft)55°51′52″N 4°15′15″W / 55.864571°N 4.254194°W / 55.864571; -4.254194 (St Andrew House)181964HotelConverted to a Premier Inn hotel in 2012. The rooms on the 18th Floor are the highest hotel rooms in the city.[12][6]
19Hilton Glasgow70 m (230 ft)55°51′41″N 4°16′10″W / 55.861378°N 4.269345°W / 55.861378; -4.269345 (Hilton Glasgow)201992Hotel[13][6]
20=Ten 1960s tower blocks of varying design (two at Hutchesontown, three at Cowcaddens, five at Knightswood) and one modern apartment block at Glasgow Harbour are all the same height.69 m (226 ft)24VariousResidential[14][6]
21Anniesland Court66 m (217 ft)55°53′28″N 4°19′31″W / 55.891020°N 4.325166°W / 55.891020; -4.325166 (Anniesland Court)241968ResidentialTallest listed building in Scotland. Only tower block to have a Category A listing in Glasgow. Located in Anniesland.[15][16]
22=Cineworld Glasgow62 m (203 ft)55°51′54″N 4°15′18″W / 55.865115°N 4.254955°W / 55.865115; -4.254955 (Cineworld Glasgow)162001CinemaTallest Cinema complex in the world.[17]
22=Argyle Building62 m (203 ft)55°51′34″N 4°16′04″W / 55.859477°N 4.267824°W / 55.859477; -4.267824 (Argyle Building)202008Residential[18]
22=Bridle Works Building 62 m (203 ft)55°51′47″N 4°15′06″W / 55.862945°N 4.251771°W / 55.862945; -4.251771 (Glasgow Tower/Millennium Tower)202021Student accommodation
25Queen Elizabeth University Hospital60 m (200 ft)55°51′43″N 4°20′28″W / 55.861973°N 4.341239°W / 55.861973; -4.341239 (South Glasgow University Hospital)142015Hospital[19]
26Block H2 – Central Quay58 m (190 ft)55°51′31″N 4°16′29″W / 55.858559°N 4.2746137°W / 55.858559; -4.2746137 (Central Quay)202022Residential and retailPart of Central Quay
27Crowne Plaza Glasgow55 m (180 ft)55°51′36″N 4°17′25″W / 55.860028°N 4.290414°W / 55.860028; -4.290414 (Crowne Plaza Glasgow)171989HotelPart of the SECC.[20]
28Buchanan Wharf towers54 m (177 ft)192023Mixed useLocated in Buchanan Wharf complex.
29Elmbank Gardens53 m (174 ft)55°51′54″N 4°16′11″W / 55.865018°N 4.269737°W / 55.865018; -4.269737 (Elmbank Gardens)151973HotelOriginally an office block, converted to a hotel in 1995.[21]
30Livingstone Tower52 m (171 ft)55°51′40″N 4°14′36″W / 55.860974°N 4.243464°W / 55.860974; -4.243464 (Livingstone Tower)171965UniversityPart of the University of Strathclyde.[22]
311 Atlantic Square45 m (148 ft)55°51′40″N 4°14′36″W / 55.860974°N 4.243464°W / 55.860974; -4.243464 (Livingstone Tower)102022OfficePart of the International Financial Services District

Other notable tall structures

Buildings with a Wikipedia article and over 50 metres in height.

Name Image Height Coordinates Floors Year Primary use Notes
Cathkin Braes wind turbine125 m (410 ft)[lower-alpha 1]
80 m (260 ft)[lower-alpha 2]		55°47′51″N 4°12′56″W / 55.797467°N 4.215594°W / 55.797467; -4.215594 (Cathkin Braes wind turbine)2013Wind turbine[23]
Glasgow Cathedral68.6 m (225 ft)55°51′47″N 4°14′05″W / 55.862978°N 4.234668°W / 55.862978; -4.234668 (Glasgow Cathedral)1197Cathedral[24][6]
St Andrew's West Church67 m (220 ft)55°51′55″N 4°16′01″W / 55.865206°N 4.266865°W / 55.865206; -4.266865 (St Columba Church)1852Church[25]
St Columba Church61 m (200 ft)55°51′46″N 4°16′00″W / 55.862774°N 4.266768°W / 55.862774; -4.266768 (St Columba Church)1904Cathedral[26]
St Mary's Cathedral60.5 m (198 ft)55°52′24″N 4°16′30″W / 55.873397°N 4.275077°W / 55.873397; -4.275077 (St Mary's Cathedral)1893Cathedral[27]
Finnieston Crane53 m (174 ft)55°51′30″N 4°17′04″W / 55.858217°N 4.284492°W / 55.858217; -4.284492 (Finnieston Crane)1931Cantilever crane[28]
  1. ↑ including rotating blades with 45 m (148 ft) length
  2. ↑ base 'hub' unit only.

Tallest under construction, approved, and proposed

Approved

Name Height
metres / ft		 Floors Year (est.) Primary Use Location Notes
The Grid58m (190ft)122020OfficeInternational Financial Services DistrictOn Hold

Proposed

Building Name Height Floors Main Usage Other Usage
Portcullis House[29] 114 m (374 ft) 35 Student Accommodation None
Dandara City Wharf 87 m (285 ft) 28 Residential None
Custom House Quay[30] 69 m (226 ft) 25 Hotel Residential
Sky Plaza 49 m (161 ft) 16 Residential None
10–16 Dixon Street[31] 44 m (144 ft) 14 Residential Retail
Homes for the Future phase 2 44 m (144 ft) 13 Residential None
Central Quay Phase 5 42 m (138 ft) 10 Office Retail
145 St Vincent Street 42 m (138 ft) 10 Office None
Building 3 Atlantic Quay 35 m (115 ft) 10 Office None
St Andrews Wharf Residential 34 m (112 ft) 11 Residential None

Unbuilt

Name Height Floors Year Notes
East One180 m (590 ft)55
Cheapside Tower 1170 m (560 ft)50
Cheapside Tower 2170 m (560 ft)50
Cheapside Tower 3136 m (446 ft)40
Elphinstone Place134 m (440 ft)39Cancelled due to the 2008 Financial crisis. Now the site of the new Scottish Power HQ.[32]
Elmbank Tower107.5 m (353 ft)28[33]
Glasgow Harbour Tower93 m (305 ft)30
Elphinstone Urban Village Tower 181 m (266 ft)27
Graving Docks Tower 165 m (213 ft)21
Elphinstone Urban Village Tower 260 m (200 ft)20

Demolished

Name Image Height Coordinates Floors Year built Year demolished Notes
Townsend Chimney138 m (453 ft)55°52′16″N 4°15′05″W / 55.871207°N 4.251493°W / 55.871207; -4.251493 (Townsend's Chimney)N/A18591928At J. Townsend Chemical Works, Port Dundas. Tallest chimney in the world from 1859 to 1889.[34][35][36][37][38]
Tennant's Stalk133 m (436 ft)55°52′13″N 4°14′05″W / 55.870249°N 4.234689°W / 55.870249; -4.234689 (Tennent's Stalk)N/A18421922At the St Rollox Chemical Works, Springburn. Tallest chimney in the world from 1842 to 1859. Demolished after being struck by lightning.[34][35][39][40][41]
Pinkston Power Station cooling tower94 m (308 ft)55°52′20″N 4°14′50″W / 55.8723°N 4.2472°W / 55.8723; -4.2472 (Pinkston)19521976Largest cooling tower in Europe at time of completion. Complex in Port Dundas (providing energy for the Glasgow Corporation Tramways) also included two 263 ft (80 m) chimney stacks.[42][43][44]
Tait Tower91.4 m (300 ft)55°50′44″N 4°19′05″W / 55.845535°N 4.318183°W / 55.845535; -4.318183 (Tait Tower) ?19381939Built as part of the 1938 Empire Exhibition.
109 Bluevale Street90.8 m (298 ft)55°51′21″N 4°12′56″W / 55.855958°N 4.215552°W / 55.855958; -4.215552 (Gallowgate)3019682015Was the joint tallest inhabitable building in Scotland. Located in Gallowgate.[45]
51 Whitevale Street90.8 m (298 ft)55°51′21″N 4°12′56″W / 55.855958°N 4.215552°W / 55.855958; -4.215552 (Gallowgate)3019682015Was the joint tallest inhabitable building in Scotland. Located in Gallowgate.[45]
10 Red Road Court89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672015Tallest residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
33 Petershill Drive89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672015Tallest residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
63 Petershill Drive89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672015Tallest residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
93 Petershill Drive89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672015Tallest residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
123 Petershill Drive89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672015Tallest Residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
21 Birnie Court89 m (292 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)3119672013Tallest residential buildings in Europe at the time of completion.[46]
153-213 Petershill Court78 m (256 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)2819672012[46]
10-30 Petershill Court74 m (243 ft)55°52′49″N 4°12′30″W / 55.880355°N 4.208291°W / 55.880355; -4.208291 (Red Road)2619672015[46]
Clydesdale Bank Tower73 m (240 ft)55°51′32″N 4°17′42″W / 55.858993°N 4.295110°W / 55.858993; -4.295110 (Clydesdale Bank Tower)119871989Built for the Glasgow Garden Festival, later moved to Rhyl in Wales.[47]
240 Roystonhill72 m (236 ft)55°52′03″N 4°13′26″W / 55.867604°N 4.223909°W / 55.867604; -4.223909 (Rosemount Street)2519671992Located in Royston.[48]
20 Rosemount Street72 m (236 ft)55°52′03″N 4°13′26″W / 55.867604°N 4.223909°W / 55.867604; -4.223909 (Rosemount Street)2519672013Located in Royston.[48]
40 Rosemount Street72 m (236 ft)55°52′03″N 4°13′26″W / 55.867604°N 4.223909°W / 55.867604; -4.223909 (Rosemount Street)2519672016Located in Royston.[48]
Ten 1960s tower blocks of varying design (four at Laurieston, two at Gorbals, two at Hutchesontown) were all the same height.69 m (226 ft)24VariousResidential[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Disappearing Glasgow: documenting the demolition of a city's troubled past". The Guardian. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ↑ McLean, David (16 April 2022). "The notoriously dire Gorbals flats that locals dubbed 'The Dampies'". Glasgow Live. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  3. ↑ Williams, Craig (9 June 2023). "Glasgow Tower: 'White elephant' reopens after four-year hiatus". The Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  4. ↑ https://publicaccess.glasgow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=constraints&keyVal=O85EJ2EXL5900
  5. ↑ "Science Centre Tower". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 David McLean (4 May 2017). "Glasgow's top 15 tallest buildings". The Scotsman. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "The Gilbert Scott Building". University of Glasgow. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Buildings in Glasgow: Springburn". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Buildings in Glasgow: Wyndford". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Buildings in Glasgow: Townhead". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  11. ↑ "Glasgow City Chambers". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  12. ↑ "St. Andrew's House". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  13. ↑ "Glasgow International Hilton Hotel". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Buildings in Glasgow: Page 2". Emporis. Archived from the original on 17 May 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  15. ↑ "Tower Block UK: Anniesland Cross". University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "Anniesland Court". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  17. ↑ "Glasgow UGC Multiplex". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  18. ↑ "Cadogan Square". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  19. ↑ "Glasgow South Adult Hospital". Emporis. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019.
  20. ↑ "Crowne Plaza Hotel". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  21. ↑ "Premier Inn Glasgow Charing Cross". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  22. ↑ "Livingstone Tower, University of Strathclyde". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  23. ↑ Vivienne Nicoll (23 May 2013). "£5m city turbine will be visible around world". Evening Times. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  24. ↑ "Glasgow Cathedral". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  25. ↑ "Renfield St. Stephen's Church". Emporis. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019.
  26. ↑ "Highland Cathedral". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  27. ↑ "St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  28. ↑ "Finnieston Crane". Clyde Waterfront. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  29. ↑ "Plans submitted for Glasgow student housing at former Portcullis House site". 7 December 2023 – via www.scottishhousingnews.com/.
  30. ↑ "Custom House Quay". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  31. ↑ "Dixon Street Development". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  32. ↑ "Elphinstone Place". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  33. ↑ "Elmbank Tower". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  34. 1 2 Robert Bancroft; Francis Bancroft (1885). Tall Chimney Construction (PDF). Lewes: Farncombe and Co. p. 33. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  35. 1 2 Lynn Pearson (2016). Victorian and Edwardian British Industrial Architecture. The Crowood Press. p. 31. ISBN 9781785001901. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  36. ↑ "Forth & Clyde Canal, Townsend's chimney, Glasgow". Archive Images. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  37. ↑ "Port Dundas Townsend Chimney". SkyscraperPage.
  38. ↑ When Glasgow had the Tallest Chimney(s) in the World, A Hauf Stop, 20 July 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022
  39. ↑ "St. Rollox Chemical Works in Glasgow". BBC Sport. Alamy. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  40. ↑ "Tennant's Stalk". SkyscraperPage.
  41. ↑ When Glasgow had the Tallest Chimney(s) in the World, A Hauf Stop, 20 July 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2022
  42. ↑ "Glasgow, North Canal Bank Street, Pinkston Power Station". Canmore. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  43. ↑ "Pinkston Power Station". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  44. ↑ Landmark vanishes in just six seconds, Glasgow Herald, 20 September 1976
  45. 1 2 "Buildings in Glasgow: Gallowgate". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Buildings in Glasgow: Red Road". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  47. ↑ "Clydesdale Tower". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 December 2019.
  48. 1 2 3 "Buildings in Glasgow: Royston". Emporis. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
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