98 Buchanan Street

A major alteration and refurbishment of two connected Grade A listed buildings which restores their classical and historic presence on Buchanan Street.
In this project we refurbished a pair of Glasgow’s finest A listed historic buildings forming part of the most valuable example of historic urban design in the city – Royal Exchange Square. The older building, from 1802 by Archibald Elliot, had been constructed as a bank and had an elaborate banking hall behind a classic stone portico which faced on to Royal Exchange Square. The later building, from 1850 by Charles Wilson, faced Buchanan Street and had been shops with offices above until the bank took it over.

Our designs preserved the exterior of the building, restoring the original shopfronts in a contemporary design, opened up all floors of the building whilst restoring the banking hall and created a single retail outlet with 40,000ft² accommodation for Borders Books.

The interiors were completely refitted and redesigned to incorporate traditional features with contemporary retail accommodation, fitted out in the Borders’ corporate style with decoration and display fitments…

Client

Borders Books UK / Rock Developments

Location

Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Completed

1997

Cost

£17m

Awards

Scottish Design Awards – ‘Best Regeneration Project’ – Commendation
Scottish Design Awards – ‘Best Commercial Project’ – Commendation