The Glasgow Tower is to undergo a £1.8m refurbishment before re-opening next summer.
The revolutionary structure is the only building in the world
capable of turning 360° and visitors will soon be able to enjoy the
unrivalled panoramic views of the city and surrounds. Standing at
127 metres tall, Glasgow Tower is the tallest free standing
building In Scotland and is a dominating feature of the city's
skyline.
The renovation of Glasgow Tower will cost £1.8 million, funded
by settlements with the original contractors and support from
Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Council. This will cover
repairing the wear and tear to the thrust bearing and replacement
of the existing lifts. An extensive design and planning
process has been undertaken by consultants and contractors to
ensure that the works will provide a robust and reliable solution
to the technical issues relating to the operation of the Tower.
Glasgow Science Centre is a five-star visitor attraction that
presents science and technology concepts in unique and inspiring
ways. Its Science Mall is home to hundreds of interactive exhibits,
spectacular shows and one of the finest planetariums in
Europe.
During 2012-13 financial year the Science Centre had its busiest
year to date as it welcomed more than 270,000 visitors to the
Science Mall (with an additional 85,000 visiting the centre's IMAX
theatre).
As an educational charity, Glasgow Science Centre provides a
curriculum-aligned education programme to more than 100,000
Scottish schoolchildren each year. In March 2013 the Centre opened
its new permanent exhibition, BodyWorks, with the support of
Wellcome Trust and GlaxoSmithKline.
Glasgow Tower Facts
• 127m high - the tallest freestanding building in Scotland.
• Viewing cabin (105m) can offer 20 mile views of the city and
surrounds.
• Glasgow Tower is the only building in the world capable of
rotating 360 into the prevailing wind.
• Designed by Richard Horden Associates like an aerofoil to
minimise wind resistance. Its entire height turns into the wind,
enabling an incredibly slender structure.
• The design was selected from 353 competition entries for a
landmark originally intended for the city's St Enoch Square.
• Four 6kw motors (about twice the size of an electric fire) can
rotate the entire tower.
• There are 523 steps in the spiral staircase from the bottom of
the tower to the viewing cabin.
• 3,000 tons of concrete form the 20m deep foundations to anchor
the base of the tower.
Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Jobs and the Economy at
Glasgow City Council, said:
"The reopening of the Glasgow Tower at Glasgow Science Centre
will be marvellous for the city, making a visit to the Clydeside
even more attractive. The renovation of this building, truly
one of a kind, will allow everyone to appreciate the cutting-edge
design and science behind the tower, and see it making its full
contribution to Glasgow's proud scientific and engineering
heritage. I look forward to the people of Glasgow and our
visitors enjoying the unique experience of the Glasgow Tower next
summer."
Allan McQuade, Business Infrastructure director at Scottish
Enterprise, commented:
"The Glasgow Tower is a unique attraction and an important
element of the visitor experience for the Glasgow Science Centre
and the Creative Clyde area as a whole. Having the tower
fully operational will complement other developments, such as the
recent opening of the SSE Hydro Arena on the opposite side of the
River Clyde. These iconic structures firmly cement Glasgow's
reputation for bold architectural statements and enhance our
tourism and cultural attractiveness globally."
All about the Glasgow Tower...
• 127m high - the tallest freestanding building in Scotland.
• Viewing cabin (105m) can offer 20 mile views of the city and
surrounds.
• Glasgow Tower is the only building in the world capable of
rotating 360 into the prevailing wind.
• Designed by Richard Horden Associates like an aerofoil to
minimise wind resistance, its entire height turns into the wind,
enabling an incredibly slender structure.
• The design was selected from 353 competition entries for a
landmark originally intended for the city's St Enoch Square.
• Four 6kw motors (about twice the size of an electric fire) can
rotate the entire tower.
• There are 523 steps in the spiral staircase from the bottom of
the tower to the viewing cabin.
• 3,000 tons of concrete form the 20m deep foundations to anchor
the base of the tower.
Glasgow Science Centre is a five-star visitor attraction that
presents science and technology concepts in unique and inspiring
ways. Its Science Mall is home to hundreds of interactive exhibits,
spectacular shows and one of the finest planetariums in Europe.
During 2012-13 financial year the Science Centre had its
busiest year to date as it welcomed more than 270,000 visitors to
the Science Mall (with an additional 85,000 visiting the centre's
IMAX theatre).