Baird Hall

Category: Historic Building/Architectural Interest

Sauchiehall Street

This building is a fine example of Art Deco period design. It was originally designed as "Scotland's First Skyscraper Hotel" called "The Beresford". It was designed by William Beresford Inglis and James W. Weddell and was completed in 1938, the year in which the Empire Exhibition was held in Glasgow. The hotel had 200 bedrooms and a roof garden, offering stunning views over the city.
The building has had many uses. During World War 2, the Polish and US Armies made it an HQ and an officers club. It was also the headquarters of the chemical company ICI. Now, the University Of Strathclyde uses the building student residence.
The exterior was originally coloured in mustard, black and red, and was clad in a type of earthenware called fa•ence. But the main structure of the building is reinforced concrete. Inglis designed a number of Glasgow's cinemas, and the modern clean lines of Baird Hall are very similar to the 1930s picture houses. From Elmbank Street its strong lines and stylish curves look like Batman's Gotham City. Look out for the beautiful teardrop details on the curved bays, which once held tall flagpoles. The building now has blue neon striplights which illuminate the roof at night.