Archaeology Notes

Event ID 797025

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/797025

NS56SE 256 5897 6499

For associated St Enoch Station (NS 5909 6490) and Subway Station (NS 5893 6500), see NS56SE 69 and NS56NE 231 respectively.

St Enoch Hotel [NAT]

OS 1:1250 map, 1969.

The St Enoch Hotel was not the city's first station hotel, but with over 200 bedrooms and 20 public rooms, it was the biggest. When it opened (on 3 July 1879) it was the largest in Scotland. The main frontage (towards St Enoch Square) was 36ft (109.8m) long and 120ft (36.6m) high. The N wing extended from St Enoch Square to Dunlop St, a distance of just over 500ft (152.4m). In the absence of a tower, there was an impressive grouping pointed dormers and heavy chimney stacks.

Presumably under the influence of the Midland Rly, Thomas Wilson of Hampstead was given the commission for the whole building, being assisted by Miles S Gibson of Glasgow and James F Blair, consulting engineer to the City of Glasgow Union Rly.

James Watson and Sons of Glasgow started construction in 1876, but it was not until February 1877 that the G&SW Rly committed itself to retaining control of the hotel.

The hotel was well equipped, but financial considerations made the interior a visual disappointment by comparison with that at St Pancras. Two 'self acting ascending rooms' (hydraulic lifts) were provided, being powered from the accumulator that powered the cranes at College Goods Station.

The station closed in 1966, and the hotel in 1974.

C Johnston and J R Hume 1979.