Four months have passed since the tragic B-listed building fire that devastated the city, and people have been showing support in different ways. For example, artist Karen Bones has created an intricate miniature replica of the Union Street building, which has now been bought by Network Rail.
The miniature replica of the Union Street building took around 10 weeks to complete, resulting in a whopping 300 hours of meticulous work for Karen. What is more, the sculpture was made from wood, cardboard, foam sheet and acetate, all hand-painted with acrylic.
Visitors can now view the miniature replica at the Glasgow Central museum, and it will be part of the Glasgow Central Tours, where visitors can explore behind the scenes of the historic spot.
Karen Bones said: “I’m inspired by all the stunning architecture around the city centre. When the fire happened, I felt compelled to recreate the building to remember it. I’m hoping that people who know it will have fond memories of the building when they see it and that visitors who didn’t know it will still be able to appreciate what a beautiful building it was.”
Sinead Fielding, Glasgow Central Tours guide, said: “One of the things people love most about the tours is discovering the stories behind Glasgow’s buildings and the role they’ve played in the city’s history. This model is such a special addition because it preserves a landmark that meant a lot to so many people.”
“It gives visitors the chance to see the incredible detail and character of the Union Street corner up close, while helping to keep its memory alive for future generations.”
Craig Milne, operations director at Network Rail, said: “This model captures a much-loved part of the city and pays tribute to the street following the fire.
“While responding to the aftermath of the fire and helping customers navigate the disruption, I saw just how much the building meant to people. This replica goes to prove that, with Karen putting so much hard work into preserving the building won’t be forgotten. I’m so glad that visitors will be able to see it for years to come.”
