Theatre Royal, 254-290 Hope Street, Glasgow

The Theatre Royal, located at 254-290 Hope Street in Glasgow, was originally designed by George Bell in 1867. It suffered a fire in 1879 and was restored by Charles J Phipps in 1880. After another fire, it was rebuilt by Phipps in 1895, following a similar design to the previous structure. James Miller made alterations in 1901, and further restoration and the addition of a new foyer were carried out by Derek Sugden of Arup Associates between 1974 and 1975. The building has two and three storeys, featuring a plain 24-bay facade with taller auditorium buildings at the rear and central entrance bays in a three-bay section. The exterior is finished in painted ashlar.

The entrance includes three double-leaf panelled and glazed doors, and the first floor features a three-bay arcade supported by central granite-shafted columns, with a continuous moulded impost band and flanked by pilasters that rise to a segmental pediment. Above this, there are three narrower bays topped by a later pediment. A cast-iron porch with glazed pavilions is present at the entrance bays and the stage door. The building displays a variety of glazing patterns, predominantly timber sash and case plate glass windows with horns, including some 4-pane over 4-pane configurations, and is topped with slate roofs.

Inside, the auditorium features three tiers of balconies, with the first balcony having a serpentine front and the upper balconies being horseshoe-shaped. These balconies are adorned with highly decorative delicate strapwork and rococo gilded plasterwork. Some cast iron columns have been removed and cantilevers added. The stage boxes are divided by giant Corinthian columns, and the proscenium is rectangular with an elliptically arched tympanum. The ceiling is a domed circular design with decorative plasterwork. A grand staircase leads to the auditorium, featuring elaborate plasterwork, pilastered landings, and round-arched openings, with cast-iron balusters completing the design.