Footage online has explored the abandoned areas of Anderston Centre, which fell into a partially derelict state in the 90s.
A YouTube account exploring brutalist structures across the UK uploaded the video, which takes viewers around parts of the centre which have since been abandoned. Originally styled as the Anderston Cross Commercial Centre, it’s now known as Cadogan Square.
Opened in 1973, the centre is one of the earliest examples of the ‘megastructure’ style of urban renewal schemes.
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The concept for the centre dates back to 1946, when Anderston was declared a Comprehensive Development Area having been badly scarred by industrial decline. Housing in the area had become overcrowded, with some reports branding it a slum.
Part of the renewal plans for the area included creating a superblock, which would demolish the derelict buildings and replace them with a structure that combined shops, housing, offices and a bus station.
Plans included sloping walkways and open-air escalators, in an octagonal shaped complex. Three 19-storey tower blocks housed offices and shops on their lower five levels, with the upper 14 floors consisting of public housing.
The basement housed a split level car park, with two pedestrian exits - one of which the infamous bridge to nowhere which came to an end mid-air. The three towers were named after Clyde paddle steamers, SS St Columba, SS Dalraida, and SS Davaa, and were collectively known as Blythswood Court.
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The entire scheme was never carried to its entirety, leading to the 'bridge to nowhere' title. By 1993, the bus station in the complex was closed completely.
Soon after, multiple outlets in the complex closed such as John Menzies. The original studios of Radio Clyde had been in the centre, though had moved to Clydebank in the ‘80s.
With much of the centre now unoccupied, the area became a ‘red-light district’ of sorts and was known for vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The once fashionable Brutalist style aged badly over time, and Anderston Centre had become an eyesore.
Efforts were made to regenerate the complex, with Glasgow Housing Association refurbishing and reclading the blocks, even adding distinctive blue LED lighting which re-established them on the Glasgow skyline.
Plans have been submitted to remove the remains of the centre, but these have yet to be carried out.
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