Tessera

Niall Murphy

@murphyniallgla.bsky.social

If you are interested in architecture, urbanism and conservation issues in Glasgow, Scotland, then follow me. I’m Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Chair of Govanhill Baths BPT a Trustee of BEFS and Co-chair of the Glasgow Built Heritage Commission.

106 Posts1778 Follower 1215 Folgt

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

Just want to express my congratulations to the Old Glasgow Club on the Lord Provost’s unveiling of their blue plaque commemorating both the final service in the much missed St Enoch’s Church, which was demolished in 1925, and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the club 🎉👍!

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren giving her speech at the start of the unveiling ceremony for the Old Glasgow Club plaque. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren starting the unveiling of the Old Glasgow Club plaque which is still concealed by a draped cloth. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren having unveiled the Old Glasgow Club plaque with the draped cloth now removed. The plaque is mounted on the south elevation of James Miller’s red sandstone Scottish Baronial entrance to the Glasgow Subway.

This is the blue plaque commemorating both the final service in the much missed St Enoch’s Church, which was demolished in 1925, and the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Old Glasgow Club.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

So folks, @glasgowheritage.bsky.social is looking for a new Finance Manager, details below👇👀! We’re a small and friendly team working at the heart of #Glasgow’s heritage. So if that appeals to you, please get in touch 😉👍! www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/vacancy-fina...

Vacancy: Finance Manager - Glasgow City Heritage Trust

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Trainee Building Inspector to join our team. This new entry-level role will provide training and mentorship to someone starting out in their career w...

glasgowheritage.org.uk

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The Apple Store on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. Where the cool retro slick International Style interior out of 2001: A Space Odyssey meets architect David Hamilton’s warm blonde sandstone enclosure of Georgian classical elegance 🥰!

This is a photograph of the St Vincent Street elevation of what was the Western Club on Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. It is now Glasgow’s Apple Store. Through the two arched windows you can see the cool retro slick International Style interior, which references the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and how it contrasts with the warm blonde sandstone enclosure of Georgian classical elegance by architect David Hamilton.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Working with sculptor Benno Schotz, architect Graham Henderson created this powerful granite door case with shield for the Bank of Scotland’s 235 Sauchiehall Street. I’m glad the banking hall is now up for sale as the unsightly detritus behind the gate can be removed 🤔!

Working with sculptor Benno Schotz, architect Graham Henderson created for the Bank of Scotland’s 235 Sauchiehall Street branch, this powerful interwar granite door case with a bronze shield set deep within a larger blonde sandstone arch. Note how all that is left of the columns around the arch are the bases just keeking out of the sandstone stonework above the granite and marble base. The banking hall is now up for sale so hopefully the detritus trapped behind the elegant cast iron gate can be removed.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

Here’s a wee update on my progress towards #LondonMarathon2025 to raise funds for the NSPCC. Having been training three nights last week, I did an enjoyable 11.3K run yesterday morning taking in Glasgow Green and the Clyde en route and got a PB in the 10K = go me🏃🎉😆👍! 1/2

This is an extract from my Strava page with Strava’s AI description of my latest run. The text is in black and red on a white background with a red bar below.

This is an extract from my Strava page showing the route I took for my latest run along with my distance, pace and the time I took.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Its amazing that construction on the Tolbooth Steeple with its open crown spire started 400 years ago! It is tragic the remainder of the Tolbooth was demolished but at least this survives and soon it will no longer be stuck on a traffic island 🤔🥰!

This is Glasgow’s Tolbooth Steeple with its open crown spire and blue and gold clock faces was built between 1625-7 by John Boyd, Master of Works. Here it is seen against the backdrop of an early dawn sky with orange clouds against pale blue. The modern residential building behind the steeple was influenced by the Paris based Peruvian architect Henri Ciriani.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The tower and domes of Glasgow’s City Chambers have a temple like feel when seen in the cool gloaming of a winter sunset 🌅🥰!

The stone tower and domes of Glasgow’s City Chambers seen in the cooling light of a winter sunset with a sky which segues from pale orange to cool blue.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: It is strange to think that the Robert Adamesque 52 Charlotte Street is the last surviving villa on what was arguably the most charming residential street in Glasgow. Sadly, this handsome Georgian relic is the only trace of that former splendour 😢!

This is the Robert Adamesque 52 Charlotte Street is the last surviving villa on what was arguably the most charming residential street in Glasgow. This handsomely proportioned pedimented Georgian sandstone relic is sadly the only trace of that former splendour and now looks over an open gap site in the city’s urban fabric.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I can see why George Wylie described it as “…an obsolete symbol of Empire” but I’m totally intrigued by the detail and narrative on the Doulton Fountain on Glasgow Green. What is going on with the wee figures on top of the column behind ‘India’ 🤔?!

This is a detail from the vast terracotta Doulton Fountain originally erected for the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888 but subsequently moved to Glasgow Green. It shows the ‘India’ sculptural grouping of an Indian couple symbolically representing Indian trades and virtues. In the foreground is St Mungo and the Glasgow Coat of Arms.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I love the junction between architect William Leiper’s Venetian Gothic facade of 1889 and architect George Boswell’s 1938 SE range at Templeton Carpet Factory. Though stylistically different, both are virtuoso examples of polychromatic brickwork 🥰!

This is the corner junction between architect William Leiper’s Venetian Gothic facade of 1889 and architect George Boswell’s 1938 SE range at Templeton Carpet Factory overlooking Glasgow Green in Glasgow’s East End. Though stylistically different, both facades are virtuoso examples of polychromatic brickwork displaying the joy the designers and bricklayers have taken in the different colours and patterns of brickwork. Though predominantly red brick, yellow, blue and green bricks are found throughout the patterns giving it a rainbow like appearance in places.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

As a #BoardingSchoolSurvivor, I’m running the #LondonMarathon2025 to raise funds for @NSPCC as I don’t want any child to experience what I went through. Therefore, in a wee progress update I’ve just done my longest ever run 🏃🎉😊👍! 1/3 strava.app.link/4NXaJDRi6Pb

strava.app.link

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: where Georgian meets Modernism = David Hamilton’s Nelson Monument of 1807 on Glasgow Green seen against the backdrop of RMJM’s Hutchesontown B flats of 1961. What a day…🥶🥰!

Georgian meets Modernism in Glasgow = David Hamilton’s Nelson Monument of 1807 on Glasgow Green seen against the backdrop of RMJM’s Hutchesontown B flats of 1961 across the frosty lawns of the green.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

I’m really proud of the new @GlasgowHeritage shopfront window which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College & explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". Want to know more👇👀 😊👍! www.glasgowheritage.org.uk/gchts-window...

This is the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window is signed by the students so their work is acknowledged.

This is an oblique view of the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window is signed by the students so their work is acknowledged.

This is a detail of the new Glasgow City Heritage Trust shopfront window display which was done by the Design Practice BA(hons) students at City of Glasgow College. Using colourful thermal imaging and wooden cut outs of Glasgow’s tenements the backlit display explores the theme of "The Greenest Building is the One That is Already Built". The window includes QR Codes so passers-by can find out more information about the window display and its subject matter.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Spotted this delightful set of door handles at the corner entrance to William Leiper’s Sun Life Building at the corner of West George & Renfield Streets. The two putti are just the fantastic hint needed to set you up for the opulent space beyond 🥰!

This delightful set of brass door handles adorn the corner entrance to William Leiper’s Sun Life Building at the corner of West George & Renfield Streets in Glasgow’s city centre. The two putti are just the fantastic hint needed to set people up for the opulent space beyond.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Architect John Baird II’s lavish classical plasterwork ceiling of 1876 glimpsed through the warm red lighting of the High Victorian stained glass set within architect David Hamilton’s pedimented tripartite window to Hutchesons’ Hospital on John Street 👇👀🥰!

This is architect John Baird II’s lavish classical plasterwork ceiling of 1876 glimpsed through the warm red lighting of the High Victorian stained glass set within architect David Hamilton’s earlier pedimented tripartite window to Hutchesons’ Hospital on Glasgow’s John Street.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Happy 2025 to all! So… I was a little bit naughty in my speech to the Scottish Parliament before Christmas as I described Glasgow as #Scotland’s “only metropolis”. Cue gasps of astonishment! But… ladies & gents, I give you the evidence 👀👇😆😉👍!

This is the view down Hope Street looking towards Glasgow Central Station. It’s a sun warmed cliff of red and blonde sandstone crowned by Northern European Renaissance classicism of the huge clock tower above Grand Central Hotel. As it is mid winter the shadows are deep and long.

This is the view along Glasgow’s Gordon Street on a crisp winters day with a pale blue sky. In the distance you can see David Hamilton’s dome over GOMA echoed by the Sydney Mitchell’s dome over his Royal Bank of Scotland extension at the corner of Buchanan Street. You can also see John Honeyman’s Ca D’Oro with its elegant cast iron details. The street is full of pedestrians and taxis.

This is the view up Glasgow’s Renfrew Street from the corner of Gordon Street. The buildings are being washed by the warm winter sunshine. The street is full of buses and cars while a pedestrian with natty shoes is trying to cross the road.

Seen on a beautiful crisp winter’s day, this is view looking to the north up Glasgow’s Buchanan Street. While the street is in shadow the red and blonde sandstone buildings are being warmed by the sunshine. The elegant corner building with the dome is by Edinburgh architect Sydney Mitchell. The street is full of pedestrians looking for Christmas presents.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

Just wanted to thank Libby Brooks for talking to me about my concerns for the fragile state of #GlasgowHeritage given the city’s 850th anniversary. Also good to see contributions from Rory Olcayto, Cllr Ruairi Kelly and Anna Gibb too. Read all about it here 👀👇😉👍! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

‘Left to rot’: Glasgow’s crumbling heritage comes into focus for 850th anniversary

Pressure grows to do something about city centre’s decaying buildings and empty shops in ‘year of urgency’

theguardian.com

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty from #Glasgow: it’s #ChristmasEve so I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas🎄🎅! This is the main stained glass window from Pollokshields Burgh Hall and the motto is ‘Do good while the Holly is green’ which seems rather appropriate for today 🥰😉👍!

This is the main stained glass window from Pollokshields Burgh Hall in Glasgow’s Southside. It was designed by stained glass artist Oscar Paterson. The motto is ‘Do good while the Holly is green’ and it shows a holly tree wrapped in red bunting seen through an arch against the backdrop of an idealised classical city. Above the arch is another garlanded wreath. The motto seems very appropriate for Christmas!

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

As it’s #Sunday here’s a pen and ink sketch of a Norman church near #Scarbourgh that I drew en plein air while on holiday in the late 1990s. I would love to be able to locate the church as it was really charming…🧐!

This is a sepia pen and ink sketch of a Norman church near Scarbourgh that I drew en plein air while on holiday in the late 1990s.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

Hey it’s #Caturday so wee Luna wants to say hello from her favourite place in the world 👋😹🤦‍♂️!

This is Luna my British Shorthair cat sitting in our kitchen sink which is Luna’s favourite place in the world. Luna has pale green grey eyes, a lilac silver grey face and paws and a cream body. She is very sweet and affectionate.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

On Tuesday, as director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust I had the honour of speaking at the Scottish Parliament on behalf of Scotland’s CHTs for their 20th anniversary event. Many thanks to Gordon Macdonald MSP for hosting & Alison Turnbull of Historic Environment Scotland for her speech 😊! 1/3

This is Niall Murphy, the Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trusts, giving a speech in the Scottish Parliament for the 20th anniversary event celebrating the establishment of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts. Niall is a middle aged white man wearing a purple velvet jacket, purple corduroy trousers, maroon brogue shoes, a lilac shirt and an orange knitted tie. He is standing behind a lectern giving the speech in the Garden Lobby at the base of the stairs to the Debating Chamber.

This is the Glasgow City Heritage Trusts at team of Erin Russo, dressed in red, Gemma Wild in lime green, Taylor Cross-Whiter with silver shoes and Niall Murphy in purple, standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament. The team look very stylish because they are representing Glasgow.

These are the Directors of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts surrounding Gordon Macdonald MSP while standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament.

Holding the Knight Map are the Trustees and team of Glasgow City Heritage Trusts including Paul Sweeney MSP, Melanie Hay, Euan Ross, Tommy McGlynn, Gemma Wild, Taylor Cross-Whiter, Erin Russo and Niall Murphy standing on the steps to the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament while at the 20th anniversary of the setting up of Scotland’s City Heritage Trusts.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#PlanningStuff in #Glasgow: Good street furniture vs bad street furniture on St Vincent Street. It’s great to see the installation of a new defibrillator but it would be nice if these redundant now vandalised telephone boxes cluttering up our public realm could be removed…🤔?!

This is a new defibrillator which has been installed on St Vincent Street in Glasgow’s city centre.

These are two redundant and vandalised telephone boxes cluttering up the public realm on St Vincent Street in Glasgow’s city centre. Sadly the door to the telephone boxes has been wrenched off its hinges and the glass base panel kicked in leaving glass all over the pavement. The glass panes are covered in a mix of graffiti and adverts of dubious provenance.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: For #Glasgow850 Glasgow City Heritage Trust are assisting the Tron Theatre with a grant to help transform the gothic vault to the Tron Steeple with a mural, light fitting and film working with schools to tell the history of one of Glasgow’s oldest buildings 🥰! 1/2

Seen against a pale blue early morning sky this is Glasgow’s Tron Steeple in Trongate with the sunrise glinting off it. The pale ochre rendered tower dates from the early 17th century but may contain medieval fabric.

This is the Gothic vault to Glasgow’s Tron Steeple in Trongate. This pedestrian passage way was inserted through the tower by Glasgow’s City Architect John Carrick in the 1850s. The glass door is from the 1999 intervention by RMJM. This space one contained the Tron - the weighing machine for the city’s market.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I love Glasgow’s dramatic deep winter shadows. Obviously the oriel bay on the Scottish Baronial Victoria Buildings is pretty impressive anyway but every time I see its shadow I think of the Genie emerging from the magic lamp in Aladdin…👇👀😂😉👍!

Seen on a crisp winter morning, this is the Scottish Baronial Victoria Buildings on the corner of West Regent and Renfield Streets in Glasgow’s city centre. Though partially demolished, the building was designed by Edinburgh architect James Bell and built between 1858-60. The oriel bay window at the corner is particularly impressive especially for its deep shadow over the blonde sandstone facade.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: Caught in the early morning light this is James Miller’s warehouse for James Woodhouse & Son at 28-36 Renfield Street. Its elegant ornamental details were carved by Joseph Armitage. Dating from 1928, this is a great example of American Classicism 🥰!

Caught in the early morning light against a pale blue misty sky and with its architecture subtly picked out by the architectural lighting, this is James Miller’s warehouse for James Woodhouse & Son at 28-36 Renfield Street. Its elegant ornamental details were carved in the pale sandstone by Joseph Armitage. Dating from 1928, this is a great example of American interwar Classicism in Glasgow’s city centre and is taken from precedents by the likes of Warren & Wetmore, architects for New York’s Grand Central Station.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The versatility of Sir John James Burnet, able to turn his hand from Selfridges and the extension to the British Museum all the way to the more modest scale of The Tolbooth pub at Glasgow Cross with its frosted glass windows lit up in the mist 🥰!

This is Sir John James Burnet’s diminutive Scottish Baronial ‘The Tolbooth’ pub at Glasgow Cross with its delicately patterned frosted glass windows all lit up against the red painted arches in the early morning mist.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The new alignment of Brunswick Lane showcases James Sellars’ beautiful Free Renaissance warehouse of 1885 at 137 Trongate. Sadly it’s been a #BuildingAtRisk since 1996. The delicate pattern of the cast iron balustrade to the parapet is a delight 🥰!

This photograph of the new Brunswick Lane shows how the alignment of the new brick and glass buildings is carefully arranged to frame James Sellars’ beautiful 137 Trongate. This Free Renaissance warehouse of 1885 now acts to close the view down the lane. Sadly the blonde sandstone warehouse has been on Scotland’s Building at Risk Register since 1996. The delicate pattern of Sellars’ cast iron balustrade to the parapet, which is probably by Walter Macfarlane’s Saracen Foundry, is a delight.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: I managed to charm my way beyond Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s unusual doorcase into the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club on Blythswood Square. So here’s Mackintosh’s telephone booth and George Walton’s fireplace with its rather wonderful symbolic Medusa keystone 🥰!

Set into a blonde sandstone arch, this is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s quirky gloss black Glasgow Style meets Classical doorcase to the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club on Blythswood Square in Glasgow’s Blythswood District. I think the curious vesica piscis over the door is intended as a symbol to define what lies beyond as female space.

This is Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s black painted gridded telephone booth in the entrance hall of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists club.

This is George Walton’s huge stone inglenook fireplace, with its rather wonderful Medusa keystone, which has pride of place in what would have been the gallery space at the rear of the Blythswood Square townhouse. The symbolic use of Medusa again tells us that this is a space for women.

This is a detail of George Walton’s rather wonderful symbolic Medusa keystone, to his huge stone inglenook fire place which has pride of place in what would have been the gallery space at the rear of the Blythswood Square townhouse.

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: The Teacher HQ of 1875 is a pleasure for how the architect, James Boucher, delights in botanical motifs as though the building is a garden. Look at the console brackets where this tiny creature, emerging from a shell, is spewing out grapes 👀👇🥰!

Caught in the early morning sunlight, this is the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade, with its recently reinstated gold painted brattish lettering, as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some delightful ornamental detail.

Caught in the early morning sunlight, this is the console bracketed doorcase to the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some delightful ornamental detail such as the delicate floral capitals either side of the entrance.

This is one of the console brackets to the doorcase of the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some intricate if restless ornamental detail. The richly carved console brackets are a particular delight.

This is a side view of one of the console brackets to the doorcase of the Teacher Building at 14-18 St Enoch Place, Glasgow. Built in 1875, it was designed by architect James Boucher who was obsessed with botanical motifs so handles the blonde sandstone facade as though it were a stylised garden. The result is a controlled Italianate design with some intricate if restless ornamental detail. The richly carved console brackets are a particular delight. If you look closely you can see a tiny creature, with big fox like ears, emerging from a shell and spewing out a bunch of grapes - perhaps a reference to the alcohol his clients were producing?

Niall Murphy @murphyniallgla.bsky.social · 2y ago

#MomentsOfBeauty in #Glasgow: A pleasure to see the progress on the restoration work underway in Laurieston House - arguably the most ornate Georgian townhouse in the UK - which contains exceptionally fine plasterwork by Francisco Bernasconi who decorated Windsor Castle 👀👇😮🥰!

This is a photograph of some of the restoration work underway in Laurieston House - arguably the most ornate Georgian townhouse in the UK - which contains exceptionally fine plasterwork by Francisco Bernasconi who decorated Windsor Castle. The delicate and very patriotic Greek Revival interior is influenced by the excavations at Pompeii and Herculenium.