Fishmarket, 127-165 Bridgegate, Glasgow

This building, originally a fish market constructed in 1873, occupies a triangular site in Glasgow. It was designed by Clarke and Bell and incorporates the 17th-century Merchants steeple into its northeastern side, which is listed separately. The original site included the demolished Merchants Guild Hall. Later additions and alterations were undertaken around 1889 by architect John Carrick, and in 1987-88 the entire structure was internally redesigned to create a shopping centre, maintaining the original structural features.

The building’s main facade, facing Clyde Street, is eight bays wide and fronts the Main Hall. Constructed of polished ashlar with rustication at ground level, it features round arched openings. The third and seventh bays from the left have full-height, pilastered vehicle entrances, flanked by paired engaged giant columns supporting a projecting entablature. Elaborate cast iron gates and tympani are present. Otherwise, rusticated arches provide access to shop fronts. A cornice runs above the ground floor, and decorative cast iron ventilating grilles are set within swagged oculi at first-floor level. A decorated Doric frieze is topped by a cornice, and a deep parapet incorporates balustrading in the central three bays. Below portico plinths are winged sea horses flanking a central medallion depicting Queen Victoria. A detached three-bay facade of plainer construction, built in 1889, forms the eastern section.

The long, pedimented Renaissance facade along the Bridgegate is of painted, rusticated ashlar, channelled at first floor. The ground floor is arcaded, with a seven-bay main section, which fronts the Main Hall. Vehicle entrances are located in the bays second to last from either side, flanking shop fronts. Pilastered rectangular windows are set on the first floor, above the central three bays, flanked by the Glasgow City Arms and single windows. A frieze and cornice run above, surmounted by a pediment incorporating a three-light window, akroteria, and a central urn with a fish finial. To the east, a lower, six-bay section, constructed in 1889, has a similar baying pattern and shop front entrances. A plain rectangular window and a turret oriel, projecting from Merchants Lane, are located at the corner.

The eastern elevation, facing Merchants Lane, is of brick and features single windows over two storeys at the northern end, with attic windows lighting the market halls.

The Main Hall’s interior is an irregular rectangle with galleries on all sides. Modern staircases provide access to the balconies, which are supported by cast iron Doric columns. The roof is supported by plain columns and features arched iron braces with decorative traceried spandrels, culminating in a glazed and slated roof. Originally, the walls were faced with white glazed bricks, although this finish only survives around the window surrounds to the north. The eastern and central halls are lower and serve as subsidiary spaces, also featuring cast iron Doric columns supporting a partly glazed and slated roof.