Kingston Halls

Last updated

Kingston Halls
Kingston Halls (geograph 2518304).jpg
Kingston Halls
LocationPaisley Road, Glasgow
Coordinates 55°51′14″N4°16′27″W / 55.8539°N 4.2743°W / 55.8539; -4.2743
Built1904
ArchitectRobert William Horn
Architectural style(s) Edwardian Baroque style
Listed Building – Category B
Official nameKingston Halls, 330-346 Paisley Road, Glasgow
Designated17 June 1986
Reference no.LB33524
Glasgow UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Shown in Glasgow

Kingston Halls is a municipal structure in Paisley Road in the Kingston area of Glasgow, Scotland. The structure, which is used as the headquarters of a charity which provides accommodation and support to homeless people, is a Category B listed building. [1]

Contents

History

Following significant population growth, largely associated with the local dockside activities, the Glasgow Corporation decided, in the early 20th century, that the Kingston area should have a municipal building incorporating a hall for community events, a public library, and a police station. This was made possible by a significant donation from the Scottish-American businessman, Andrew Carnegie. The site they selected was on the north side of Paisley Road in what was then the dockside area. [2] [3]

The new building was designed by Robert William Horn under the supervision of the City Engineer, A. B. McDonald in the Edwardian Baroque style, built in red sandstone and was officially opened by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sir John Ure Primrose, on 8 September 1904. [4] [5] [6]

The design involved an asymmetrical main frontage of four bays facing Paisley Road. The second bay from the left featured a pair of doorways flanked by squat Doric order columns on the ground floor and four small windows, separated by narrow columns, on the mezzanine floor. These windows were flanked by pilasters and brackets supporting a large segmental pediment containing a panel carved with the city crest. On the first floor there were four more windows separated by Ionic order columns supporting an entablature and a frieze inscribed with the words "Kingston Halls", and on the second floor there was a Diocletian window. The bay was flanked by full-height pilasters supporting a modillioned pediment. The first and third bays from the left were fenestrated by bipartite windows on the ground floor and on the mezzanine floor, by oculi on the first floor and by single windows with balconies on the second floor. The right-hand bay featured a doorway leading to the library on the ground floor, a bipartite window on the mezzanine floor, and a niche containing statue of a female "figure of learning" on the first floor. The statue and the other carvings on the face of the building were sculpted by Richard Ferris. [7] Internally, the principal rooms were the public library and a small assembly hall on the ground floor and a large assembly hall on the first floor. This was the first Carnegie library to be opened in Glasgow. [4]

The structure was badly damaged in a large fire in 1948 [8] and, following refurbishment, eventually re-opened in 1957. [9] [10] The main entrance lobby leading to the assembly halls was blocked off and the two doorways were replaced by four small windows. [11] The area developed a significant immigrant community in the 1950s and the former president of the UN General Assembly, Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan, attended the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations in the building in August 1965. [12] The halls were subsequently the scene of some racial and political tension. In May 1974, the National Front politician, John Hughes, led a parade outside the building seeking to provoke picketing workers [13] and, in the following year, a demonstration by trade unionists against fascism led to a skirmish known locally as the "Kingston Halls Police Riot": [14] trade unionists claimed that they were "arrested and beaten" by the police. [15]

In the early 1970s, the building was also the venue for the annual solo bagpipe competition organised by the Glasgow Uist and Barra Association. [16] [17] The building closed as an events venue in 1981, [9] and subsequently became the offices of the Talbot Association, a charity established by Vincent Buchanan to provide accommodation and support to homeless people. [18] The association established beds for some 60 homeless people in the building. [19] [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hamilton Townhouse</span> Municipal building in Hamilton, Scotland

Hamilton Townhouse is a building in Cadzow Street in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, which is operated by South Lanarkshire Council. It contains both the town's main public hall and public library, as well as various council departments including licensing and community learning. It is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingston, Glasgow</span>

Kingston is an area of Glasgow, Scotland, from which the Kingston Bridge takes its name. Together with Ibrox, it forms one of the 56 neighbourhoods of Glasgow defined by Glasgow City Council for operational purposes. The area was assigned to Ward 54 until 2007 when it was reclassified as part of the Govan ward.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pollokshaws Burgh Hall</span> Municipal building in Pollokshaws, Scotland

The Pollokshaws Burgh Hall is a municipal building at the edge of Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, Scotland. The burgh hall, which was briefly the headquarters of Pollokshaws Burgh Council, is a Category A listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coatbridge Municipal Buildings</span> Municipal building in Coatbridge, Scotland

Coatbridge Municipal Buildings, formerly Coatbridge Town Hall, is a municipal building in Dunbeth Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The building, which was the headquarters of Coatbridge Burgh Council, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grangemouth Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Grangemouth, Scotland

Grangemouth Town Hall is a municipal structure in Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth, Scotland. The structure was the meeting place of Grangemouth Burgh Council and remains the main events venue in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pitlochry Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Pitlochry, Scotland

Pitlochry Town Hall is a municipal structure in West Moulin Road, Pitlochry, Scotland. The structure, which is used as an events venue, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stewart's Hall</span> Municipal building in Huntly, Scotland

Stewart's Hall, formerly Huntly Town Hall, is a municipal structure in Gordon Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The structure, which is used as a community events venue, is a Category C listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirriemuir Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Kirriemuir, Scotland

Kirriemuir Town Hall is a municipal structure in Reform Street in Kirriemuir, Angus, Scotland. The structure, which is used as a community events venue, is a Category C listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justiciary Buildings, Glasgow</span> Judicial building in Glasgow, Scotland

The Justiciary Buildings is a judicial complex in the Saltmarket in Glasgow, Scotland. The complex, which operates in conjunction with similar facilities in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, is dedicated for the use of the High Court of Justiciary, which is the supreme criminal court in Scotland. It is a Category A listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kinross Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Kinross, Scotland

Kinross Town Hall forms part of a complex of municipal buildings in the High Street, Kinross, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. The town hall, which has been converted for residential use, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darvel Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Darvel, Scotland

Darvel Town Hall is a municipal building in West Main Street, Darvel, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The structure, which is used as a library and a community events venue, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anstruther Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Anstruther, Scotland

Anstruther Town Hall is a municipal building in School Green, Anstruther Easter, Fife, Scotland. The structure, which is used as a community events venue, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Auchtermuchty Town House</span> Municipal building in Auchtermuchty, Scotland

Auchtermuchty Town House is a municipal structure in the High Street, Auchtermuchty, Fife, Scotland. The structure, which accommodates the local public library, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dixon Halls</span> Municipal building in Strathmiglo, Scotland

Dixon Halls, formerly Crosshill and Govanhill Burgh Hall, is a daycare centre for elderly people and Category B listed building on Cathcart Road, Glasgow, Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thurso Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Thurso, Scotland

Thurso Town Hall is a municipal structure in the High Street, Thurso, in the Highland area of Scotland. The structure, which is used as a museum, is a Category B listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria and Albert Halls</span> Municipal building in Ballater, Scotland

The Victoria and Albert Halls is a complex of municipal buildings in Station Square, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The structure, which accommodates the new Ballater Community and Heritage Hub, is a Category C listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lossiemouth Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Lossiemouth, Scotland

Lossiemouth Town Hall is a municipal building in the High Street in Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland. The building is currently used as a community events venue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walker Memorial Hall, Kilbirnie</span> Municipal building in Kilbirnie, Scotland

The Walker Memorial Hall is a municipal building in Main Street, Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The structure is currently used as the offices for various local community groups as well as for the local Citizens Advice Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Millport Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Millport, Scotland

Millport Town Hall is a municipal building in Clifton Street, Millport, North Ayrshire, Scotland. The structure is used as a community events centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirkwall Town Hall</span> Municipal building in Kirkwall, Scotland

Kirkwall Town Hall is a municipal building in Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland. The structure, which is currently used as a community events venue, is a Category B listed building.

References

  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Kingston Halls, 330-346 Paisley Road, Glasgow (LB33524)" . Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. "Ordnance Survey Map". 1900. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  3. "Kingston Dock". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Kingston Library". The Glasgow Story. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  5. Glendinning, Miles (2019). History of Scottish Architecture. Edinburgh University Press. p. 569. ISBN   978-1474468503.
  6. "Diverse Designs of the Libraries". Neil Macdonald. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  7. "Kingston Halls". Architecture Glasgow. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  8. Reconstruction of Kingston Halls after a fire (£25,000). Vol. 143. Electrical Times. 1948. p. 974.
  9. 1 2 "Glasgow Clyde Tidal Path". The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  10. "Kingston Halls and Public Library and police office". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  11. Historic Environment Scotland. "Glasgow, 330-346 Paisley Road, Kingston Halls (163070)". Canmore . Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  12. McCarthy, Angela; Devine, Tom M. (2018). New Scots Scotland's Immigrant Communities Since 1945. Edinburgh University Press. p. 86. ISBN   978-1474437899.
  13. Annual Report. Scottish Trades Union Congress. 1977. p. 728.
  14. Annual Report. Scottish Trades Union Congress. 1977. p. 865.
  15. "Remembering Glasgow's rally against fascism in the 70s that saw more than 500 on the streets". Glasgow Live. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  16. "The history of Uist and Bara". Bagpipe News. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  17. Annual Solo Bagpipe Competition. Vol. 32–33. Piping Times. 1979. p. 29.
  18. "Where dignity is laid to rest". Herald Scotland. 8 May 1999. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  19. Morrison, David (1 August 2003). "Extent, Nature, and Causes of Homelessness in Glasgow: a needs assessment" (PDF). Greater Clasgow and Clyde Health Board. p. 51. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  20. Mitchell, Ian R. (2020). Clydeside Red, Orange and Green. Luath Press. ISBN   978-1913025786.