Corn Exchange, Green Street, Kilmarnock

The Corn Exchange, prominently situated in Kilmarnock, was originally built between 1862 and 1863 by James Ingram, with subsequent additions and alterations by Robert Ingram in 1886, Gabriel Steel in 1947, and KLDC Architects in the 1980s. This two-storey building, constructed of red sandstone, served as a Corn Exchange and exhibits a highly decorative Italianate style. It has a thirteen-bay elevation facing Green Street and a nine-bay elevation with a later extension facing London Road, with a particularly striking tall Albert Tower at the corner of the two streets.

The Green Street elevation features banded rustication at ground floor level and a band course above the first floor. The fenestration is regular, consisting of round-arched windows with keystones at first floor level, a bracketed cornice, and an urn-crowned panelled balustrade. Recessed segmental arches are present at ground floor level, and the first-floor windows are divided by panelled pilasters with anthemion decorated capitals, recessed architraves, and foliate keystones.

The Albert Tower is octagonal, rising in four stages. The ground stage is rusticated and incorporates large round-headed arched windows. A balustraded balcony is supported on large consoles above these windows, which are followed by round-headed windows at the second stage featuring mask keystones depicting Prince Albert, Lord Clyde, and Sir James Shaw. The third stage is blind, decorated with Burgh Arms on the front face and garlands on the other seven faces. A bracketed cornice supports a carved motto, "The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fullness Thereof," with small clocks positioned on the front and side faces resting on the cornice. The tall fourth stage incorporates eight engaged Corinthian columns supporting a dome.

The London Road elevation mirrors the Green Street design, with a shallow three-bay central projection crowned with urns. Recessed segmental arches are present at ground floor level, with several blocked. Doors are located within the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th bays; windows are in the 7th and 9th bays. The first-floor fenestration is similar to that of the Green Street elevation. An eight-bay extension, dating from the 1880s and added by R.S. Ingram, is located to the left of the original structure. This extension features banded rustication at ground floor with recessed ventilation and a varied pattern of projecting bays with arched niches and recessed blind panels at first floor level. A recessed centre to the left return includes a central architraved window and oculi with cartouche mouldings.

The interior of the building has been significantly altered over time.