The exterior of Corinthian, a leisure complex in the building that was formerly the headquarters of the Union Bank of Scotland, photographed in 2004. In front of the third storey of the Italianate facade are eight allegorical statues by sculptor John Mossman.
Built by David Hamilton in 1842 on the site of Virginia Mansion, the building originally housed the Glasgow Ship Bank which merged with the Glasgow Union Bank to create the Union Bank of Scotland. Its head office was situated in the building for 73 years. During this time, a number of well-known artists and architects contributed to alterations and enhancements, including James Salmon, who added the banking hall in 1854, and John Burnet, who completely redesigned the building in 1876.
In 1929 the building was converted into the city's High Court and many of its finest features architectural and decorative features were covered. These features were rediscovered in the course of refurbishment by Stefan King's G1 Group, which acquired the building in the 1990s for conversion to an up-market dining, drinking and dancing venue. Launched in 1999, Corinthian houses bars, a nightclub and private dining rooms that look out over a restaurant dominated by imposing pillars, ornate cornicing, a decorative ceiling and unique circular chandeliers.
Reference: Illustrations vol 48, p 35
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
banks, bars, Corinthian, courts, drinking, eating, G1 Group, Glasgow Ship Bank, Glasgow Union Bank, High Court of Justiciary, interior decoration, Italianate, nightclubs, restaurants, sculptures, statutes, Union Bank of Scotland, Virginia Mansion
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