March 14 2024

A programme of shopfront improvements, lighting installation and hand-painted signage upgrades are to breathe new life into the underbelly of Glasgow's Central Station, last refurbished in the late 1990's.

Glasgow City Council has commissioned Dress for the Weather to overhaul Hielanman's Umbrella, a covered section of Argyle Street passing directly below the station, to brighten the public realm in the dingy space.

Intended to create a more inviting environment without the expense of new hard landscaping the project focuses on new Central Station signage to the east and west together with bold new shopfront colour schemes of reds, blues and greens. Neon artworks will also be introduced between shop units and animated lighting will bathe steel girders and beams in an even wash of light.

Documenting the incoming changes Dress for the Weather wrote: "The proposals provide greater vibrancy and variety of colour to the scene under the umbrella and the new lighting will provide an environment that is lighter and less glaring than the existing condition. It will also animate the space to become a more exciting and attractive place which celebrates its transient nature and experiential intensities.

"New signage to station facades and shopfronts will provide a more accessible and legible experience while adding layers of interpretation and contemporary craft through hand-painted signwriting."

A general rationalisation of services will also be carried out to reduce clutter with glazed brick slips replacing granite between shops.

13 Comments

#1 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 14 Mar 2024 at 10:46 AM

More middle class welfare.
Does the council not have any in-house talent / ability / ideas at all?
They must need a risk assessment to wipe their own erse.

All that consultant technobabble and they forget to fix the bollards.

Not good.

#2 Posted by Ben on 14 Mar 2024 at 10:53 AM

Looks terrific, hope this begins soon!

#3 Posted by The Heart of Saturday Night on 14 Mar 2024 at 11:06 AM

Deal with the jakies first and it might stand a better chance.

Although I am interested to see how 'layers of contemporary craft' and 'experiential intensities' marry up with vape shops and an outpost of the Blue Lagoon.

#4 Posted by Jim on 14 Mar 2024 at 12:12 PM

Maybe need to look at relaying those flags - those puddles will turn it into an ice rink in the winter!

#5 Posted by Get on with It on 14 Mar 2024 at 12:27 PM

Looks nice, get on with it. That said, the council needs to address loitering in this area and the (tragic) homeless problems around Central Station in general. We are involved with the leasing of a number of commercial buildings around this area and getting anyone to move here is impossible, the area is perceived to be dangerous and intimidating. Not my personal experience but a stigma nonetheless.

#6 Posted by Showbiz Sam on 14 Mar 2024 at 14:39 PM

I did the math. Something is seriously wrong here. Someone, or group thereof, need their head looking at. For this cosmetic exercise the applicant has submitted the following:

7 forms
12 Drawings
24 Pages of an impact assessment document
15 pages of a statement of significance
43 pages of a design statement in three parts

What is wrong with you people? Just do it.

#7 Posted by John Russel on 14 Mar 2024 at 15:01 PM

I agree it needs a tidy up and refurb but they need to tackle the vandalism and graffiti problem if not then anything that is done is likely to get ruined

#8 Posted by town planner on 14 Mar 2024 at 17:12 PM

#3 - "Experiential intensities at the Blue Lagoon" cracking title for a short story collection.

#9 Posted by Georwell84 on 14 Mar 2024 at 17:53 PM

I prefer the sign that's there already.

#10 Posted by Jimbob on 14 Mar 2024 at 18:47 PM

Signage looks better as it is just now

#11 Posted by Billy on 14 Mar 2024 at 23:57 PM

I think there should be a Police shop in the city centre and a more visible police presence walking the streets. I think under the bridge at Central as its a central location would be ideal for such a shop as a city centre base for the police presence and lost property. There used to be 2 in the city centre when there was less crime...now...none.

#12 Posted by Roddy_ on 15 Mar 2024 at 15:31 PM

Please don't use that typeface. Please... don't.

The rest of it could be good.

#13 Posted by Ed on 21 Mar 2024 at 09:33 AM

#12 Roddy_ Totally agree, that wasn't done by a decent graphic designer let alone a typographer. You can tell within a fraction of a second there's sumpin' stoopid about it.

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