Tobacco Pipe Works, 42 Bain Street, Glasgow

Complex building sequence, principal front to Bain Street by M Forsyth of Airdrie, architect, 1876-7, for White's clay pipe factory. Identical pair distinctive tall red and contrasting white brick blocks facing Bain Street, originally linked (modern replacement link of no historic interest) by lower range which had 1877 datestone. Renaissance, and elaborately detailed, openings mostly round-headed and recessed in shallow panels with inset pilasters, pilasters also divide bays. 4 storeys with tall attic, each block symmetrical and with 2-storey oriel corbelled above ground floor, centre gables to design of Low Countries derivation, glazing mostly original. Flank elevations also similarly ornamented, particularly S flank to Moncur street. Timber floors on cast-iron columns. Similarly detailed tall block at corner Gibson Street/Moncur Street also connected by lower link; to Gibson Street, a block of different date - though still polychrome brick, and of similar height - which has arched single windows above ground floor recessed between giant pilaster strips, series of regular bays; also lower range in areas to rear, part rubble-built, the latter presumably an earlier survivor.