Glasgow High School: Teaching Buildings, 71-83, Holland Street, Glasgow

Main block, Elmbank Street. Italian Renaissance. 2 storeys, 11 bays; later attic. Ashlar, channelled central piers and quoins. 4 central projecting piers supporting standing figure sculptures by John Mossman of Homer, Cicero, Galileo, and Watt, circa 1880. Triumphal arches with channelled piers link central block to 4-bay wings, McLure 1875 and 1887 (S wing dated), similarly detailed to main block.

SCIENCE BLOCK: John Watson (Watson, Salmond, and Gray) 1931-32. Classical 3-storeys, 8 bays to Elmbank Street. Ashlar, channelled at ground floor.

71-83 Holland Street 2-storey, 7-bay block with entrance bay and 2 additional western bays. Ashlar, channelled at ground floor, rusticated quoins. Entrances in outer bays breaking through ground floor entablature with channelled voussoirs, corniced.

Formerly Glasgow Academy, became Glasgow High School, now Strathclyde Regional Council. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

12 August 2014: A site visit found this building to be either vacant or in minimal use and showing signs of deterioration. The windows have suffered some damage and slates are being lost. Rainwater goods are leaking in places, and there is damp/water penetration to the stone of the upper walls and eaves.

28 July 2023: Limited external inspection possible of the full site due to construction works along adjacent streets. Inspection centered on 71 -83 Holland Street but the site consists of a total of 7 linked former teachings buildings and a paired lodge.

From what could be viewed of Holland Street buildings, they appear to be in similar condition to previous assessment. Damp continues to be an issue, especially on the east and north elevations where salt deposits and discolouration are widely visible. The windows and doors on the lower floors are covered. The uncovered upper windows appear to be intact but the frames are weathering.

As noted previously, the associated buildings could not be fully assessed but generally appear to have similar issues with dampness, salts and vegetation growth.

Move to At Risk to reflect continued disuse and condition issues while monitoring.

Post-survey update: This complex of buildings are subject to proposals which include internal and external alterations associated with conversion of listed buildings, includes partial demolitions and formation of new floorspace, erection of rooftop extension to 2 no. buildings, formation of terraces and balconies, demolition of building 10 (not listed) and erection of 5 storey building and 3 no. glazed building link structures, erection of extension to rear of gatehouse, installation of plant, formation of cloisters, landscaping and public realms works, with alterations to boundary walls (ref: 22/03285/FUL & 22/03284/LBA). As of 07/09/2023, these applications are currently pending consideration.