Athenaeum Theatre, 179 Buchanan Street, Glasgow

The Athenaeum Theatre, located at 179 Buchanan Street in Glasgow, was designed by Sir J J Burnet and J A Campbell between 1891 and 1893. This eclectic building features Renaissance details and is notable for being one of the first vertical (elevator) buildings. It has five storeys and a basement, with three main bays. The exterior is constructed of ashlar stone, with a channelled ground floor and metal window frames. A narrow gabled stair tower is positioned to the north, while a broad doorway is topped with a mannerist window.

On the first floor, there is a canted balustraded balcony. Above this, full-height thin pilaster strips, interrupted by a small pedimented window, rise between clasping octagonal piers, culminating in a small turret. The building exhibits irregular fenestration, with some steps between the pilaster strips, a cornice, and an octagonal "Tower of the Winds" cupola.

To the south, there is a gabled section with two ground floor windows. A giant arched central recess extends from the first to the fourth floor, with canted windows on the second and third floors. The first and second floor windows are set into metal frames, while the third floor features a stone window that is corbelled and has a central aediculed window above a balcony. This balcony is supported by octagonal piers at its outer ends, which hold seated sculpted figures. The fourth floor window is set beneath a wide, keystoned arch, with an aedicule that includes a sculpted figure in a niche at the gable apex. A turret at the southern angle mirrors the design of the stair tower.

Inside, the theatre retains its squat-columned interior, including seating and a simple proscenium, along with a wrought-iron lift shaft.