Description
Wm Leiper, 1889-94. Francois Ier style commercial building on
corner site, sculpture by Birnie Rhind. 4 storeys, double
attic. 3 x 3 main bays with wide, canted corner bay. Modern
shops in S bays in Renfield Street. Polished red ashlar. All
windows sash and case in architraves, some with stone mullion
and transomes, some arched. Multi-pane glazing.
Entry at 42 Renfield Street in canted angle, flanked by
semi-engaged columns, with fanlight and iron grille; corner
bay with angle piers, corbelled out on sculpted heads;
variety of elaborately detailed windows in 1st to 5th floors;
bold sculpted frieze over 1st, heads set in wreaths 2nd and
4th; main cornice over 3rd; decorative dome and cupola.
W ELEVATION TO RENFIELD STREET: equally decorative with
advanced 2-bay section rising through 2nd and 3rd floors with
pilasters and columns, open scrolled pediment with
Michaelangelesque figure group, solid parapet to each floor
corbelled out on sculpted brackets, 5th floor windows
elaborately pedimented, some as dormers; double attic with
pedimented gable in S bay.
ELEVATION TO WEST GEORGE STREET: 2 unequal pedimented gables;
detailing throughout related to Renfield Street. 1 decorated
bay on return to West George Lane.
INTERIOR: Marble-lined walls. Columned chimneypiece (by
Rhind) with sculpted figure relief; open scrolled, broken
pediment. Carved door architraves with relief panels above,
timber enclosed office with carved clock. Panelled marble
frieze. Coffered ceiling.