New Parcel Post Office, 36-48 Waterloo Street, Glasgow

This is an imposing, purpose-built Post Office building of 1903-05, designed by W T Oldrieve of the Office of Works. It occupies half a block on Waterloo Street in Glasgow and is constructed in a classical style. The building is five storeys high, with seven main bays, and unequal return bays to the east and west.

The façade is predominantly polished ashlar, channelled at ground floor level. The corner bays are advanced and feature Corinthian pilaster strips. Casement windows are fitted with glazing bars. The main entablature incorporates a graduated architrave, a plain frieze, a dentil band, a modillion cornice, and an advanced balustraded die parapet with aedicules above the advanced corner sections.

The main elevation to Waterloo Street is arranged with bays 1-5-1. Tall, recessed windows are present on the ground and first floors. Second and third floor windows on the outer bays are linked within vertical architraved panels, divided by pilaster strips with sculpted friezes. Second floor windows are keyblocked with aprons, while third floor windows have panelled aprons. Three corbelled, architraved windows are positioned above, and the end bays are surmounted by pediments. The central bays feature continuous tripartite pilastered openings on the ground and first floors, with vehicle entrances incorporated into the outer bays at ground floor level. A giant, keyblocked glazed arcade rises from the first floor cornice, punctuated by tripartite windows with column mullions, transoms, and fourth-floor thermae windows.

The eastern return to Wellington Street is arranged in bays 1-1-1, with two-light outer bays and a three-light centre. A central post office entrance is flanked by a Gibbs surround, leading to a segmental pedimented doorpiece with columns and a coved, sculpted tympanum. Windows on the upper floors echo the design of the main Waterloo Street elevation. The western return to West Campbell Street mirrors the Wellington Street elevation with single outer bays, and central bays similar to the Waterloo Street façade, including vehicle entrances. The return to Bothwell Lane is simpler, featuring glazed areas and detailing reflecting the main elevation.