May 5 2023

The recent collapse of a large section of the Sir John Stirling Maxwell School in Pollokshaws has forced its emergency demolition on the grounds of public safety.

The Edwardian Baroque landmark has fallen into an increasingly parlous state despite the best efforts of the Glasgow City Heritage Trust to save it as a small business centre.

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “Following the recent significant roof collapse at the former Sir John Stirling Maxwell School building, the decision was made that as the building is now structurally unsafe it must be demolished on the grounds of public safety.

"Glasgow City Council and Wheatley Group have now agreed to carry out an enhanced demolition which will preserve stonework and other architecturally important features of the building where possible, and look to incorporate these into the future development of the site.”

It is hoped that decorative elements such as lettering and columns can be retained to preserve connections with the past.

8 Comments

#1 Posted by OssianLore on 5 May 2023 at 14:19 PM

Who could have seen this coming after 40 years of £0 being spent on it's upkeep

#2 Posted by Bob ra Builder on 5 May 2023 at 18:56 PM

#1 was there a use that wouldn't require vast sums of tax payer money pumped in?
Away and greet about the Lion chambers, Egyptian halls....

#3 Posted by John Hamilton on 6 May 2023 at 01:18 AM

Such a shame. When you see what was done with the old school on Holmlea road. I wonder much the demolition will cost. I think a freedom of information request might be interesting.

#4 Posted by OssianLore on 8 May 2023 at 16:17 PM

#2 yes, a school. This situation is a result of the approach to regeneration of the area which went emptied it of population and is only no reaching something even close to what it was even 20 years ago. But I suppose, Boaby, your wan eye probably missed that while you were scratching your purple head trying to come up with a new name.

@UR, what are you reviewing comments for when you consistently let through ad-homs?

#5 Posted by Bob ra Builder on 9 May 2023 at 19:57 PM

#4 seems like a school would need a shed load of tax payers money. Well done for not reading the question - did you go to school? Aye there's regeneration - swathes of sheltered housing at the bottom of shawbridge street - not sure they'll need a school so much.

#6 Posted by David on 10 May 2023 at 10:41 AM

#5 I don't know where this assertion of taxpayers money has come from...all you need to do is look at one of the countless conversions of similar school buildings around the city by private developers into housing or offices to understand that this is a really missed opportunity in an area that has already lost the vast majority of its pre-war fabric. The skills, materials and expertise no longer exist like they used to in order to construct buildings like this, and as such people are right to lament its loss. It is a terrible wasted opportunity.

#7 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 10 May 2023 at 11:38 AM

Manufactured / managed decline -- that was the plan and it would seem to have succeeded.

How many years was it empty?
How big was the building floorplate?
How much rent has been forgone by this waste / lazy ownership?

Any more out there ready to fall down?
St James Road would appear to have a prime example -- currently "resting" in an area of major redevelopment. If something like this can't be re-purposed instead of lying empty then questions need to be asked.

Part of our built heritage being allowed to wither on the vine and everybody stays silent.

Not good.

#8 Posted by OssianLore on 10 May 2023 at 15:05 PM

#5 Well done, Boaby, for entirely missing the point, you really couldn't have done that any more effectively

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