Essential external fabric repairs to The Square - formerly known as Professors’ Square - are now complete.

The essential maintenance work on Nos 5-13 The Square, costing approximately £1.2million, was managed in-house by Lynsey Paterson (Project Manager and RICS Conservation Accredited Chartered Building Surveyor), included window overhaul and draught proofing, roof repairs and stonework repairs associated with the historic fabric.

3D CAD fly through of The Square (Malcolm Hollis)

Conserving the past

The Lead Consultant was Turner and Townsend and main contractor Morris & Spottiswood. In order to protect the original essence of the buildings, first completed in 1870, the project's conservation approach aims to respect and preserve the important built heritage of these Grade B Listed buildings for future generations to enjoy.

A team of specialist conservation subcontractors, including Preservation Windows and Conservation Masonry, were employed to complete the specific brief and were managed externally by Malcolm Hollis LLP Glasgow.

History of The Square

In the mid-1860s, the original brief for The Square was to facilitate the need for additional accommodation for the University Principal and Professors.

Architect Gilbert Scott designed what was to be known as Professors’ Square with construction commencing on 10 February 1869 and completed by the summer of 1870. 

Professors Square archives 700x300 2The Square in 1890s courtesy of UofG Archives

No. 11 was once the home of the renowned physicist Sir William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, from 1870 until his retirement in 1899. It was one of the first houses in the world to be lit entirely by electricity.

Works completed

  • Conservation Masonry carried out significant stonework repairs and replacement, the repointing of mortar pointing and rebuilt eight chimneys on The Square;
  • Preservation Windows repaired and overhauled more than 220 original sash and case windows, bring them back to their full working order;
  • A.L Sillars sympathetically repaired all the original metal-framed windows;
  • Graham Roofing overhauled all roof areas, carrying out repairs to slated roofs, replacing defective leadwork and lining all gutters that were choked to ensure they were watertight.

Mrs. Paterson said: “We are thrilled the external fabric repairs are now complete, preserving this magnificent and historical Square. The maintenance works, that have taken a specific conservation focus, will be held as an exemplar for future projects, including work to University Gardens later this year.”

Lodgings with scaffolding

The Square restoration

Ms. Siobhan McDade and Mrs. Janice Douglas, Managers of the Principal's Lodgings, said: "We absolutely agree that the success of this project was down to the collaborative efforts of the Estates and Commerical Services Team, the contractors, and the occupants of the buildings.

"We had frequent lines of communication with the Project Manager and contractors to ensure that our busy calendar of events in the Lodgings were sensitively considered. The buildings and windows look beautiful!"

In celebration of the history of The Square, memorial plaques will be installed over the coming months at each residency.

First published: 23 January 2018

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