While Glasgow is a city with plenty of buildings of architectural significance such as the Glasgow Cathedral or The University of Glasgow, the UK’s friendliest city is also riddled with some not-so-amazing sights. We thought we’d ask our readers what they think the ugliest buildings in Glasgow are. And yes, we have left out the typical, and very predictable, Celtic vs Rangers responses.
1. Former Glasgow College of Building and Printing
As the Former Glasgow College of Building and Printing has been featured on many “ugliest buildings” lists in the past, it was no surprise Secret Glasgow readers were quick to point it out when we asked. The building is now abandoned, significantly taking up the Glasgow skyline with a pink “People Make Glasgow” slogan.
2. Former BHS building
Credit: @heytiger__
When the famous brand BHS was no more in 2016, all of its stores were inevitably closed. The Sauchiehall Street branch was no exception, and the building has been sitting there vacant for 6 years. What is more, it has since become the canvas for many graffiti enthusiasts.
3. Kentigern House, Ministry of Defence
Credit: @brutalismismyboyfriend
Quite a few comments voted Kentigern House, a government-owned Ministry of Defence building, as one of the ugliest buildings in Glasgow. Built in 1986, the building has been used by the Ministry of Defense ever since. However, locals do not seem very happy with the way it looks, due to its outdated appearance.
4. Tay House
Tay House near Charring Cross is connected to the famously known “bridge to nowhere” over the M8. Now, the building is used as serviced office spaces.
5. Queen Street station
Credit: @beyond_2047
Quite a few Secret Glasgow readers also mentioned the new Queen Street station as one of the ugliest buildings in Glasgow. While we personally don’t think it looks that bad, the station does clash with the surrounding architecture of George Square. Perhaps, it also doesn’t help that the Former Glasgow College of Building and Printing is also pretty much next to the station.
6. St Enoch Centre
Credit: @trykaled
While we do love St Enoch Centre for all of its shops and restaurants, the people of Glasgow don’t seem to like the outside of the building. Plus, the glass roof doesn’t help when it’s sunny, as it can quickly start feeling like the Botanic Gardens.
7. Boyd Orr Building
Credit: @malcolm.in.the.midcentury
Okay, we will agree the Boyd Orr Building is not the best looking in Glasgow. Built in 1972, the building has since been refurbished and is used as a science building by the University of Glasgow. The reason why people think it’s unsightly is mainly because of the mismatch with Boyd Orr Building’s surroundings, making it tower over the rest.
8. Anniesland Court
Credit: @Lensliverpool
A manifestation of Brutalist architecture from the 60s, a 22-storey residential building, which has received plenty of complaints for being ugly. What is more, Anniesland Court is extremely unusual, as its lift only has 7 stops.
9. Spectrum Building
Built in the 1960s, Spectrum Building was an office block and has been redesigned in 1999. However, people still seem to consider it ugly, also named the Tin Foil Building.