Maryhill Burgh Halls re-united with roof tower three dacades after it was removed

Feb 3 2011 By Joe McGuire

A NEW cupola tower has been erected on the Maryhill Burgh Halls - almost 30 years after the old one was removed.

The Glasgow building was topped by an octagonal cupola tower, complete with wind vane, for most of its 132-year life.

But it was removed in the early 1980s due to safety concerns.

Now, as part of a £9.2million restoration project, a duplicate of the original tower has been hoisted into place.

JM Architects used archive photos and drawings to make it as faithful a replica as possible.

Hand-built by joinery contractors Hutton and Read, the cupola tower is 5ft in diameter, 12ft high, and is made from Douglas Fir, covered in hand-worked lead. The weather vane has also been reproduced by blacksmiths at Ratho Byres Forge.

Irene Scott, chairwoman of the trust in charge of the project, said: "Now fixed back on the crest of the roof, the stunning cupola restores the exterior of this historic listed building back to how it looked when it first opened in 1878.

"It helps show the grand scale and ambition of the original, as well as helping to make clear how much progress has been made in the lead up to the halls reopening later this year."

Project co-ordinator Hunter Reid added: "The tower isn't just decorative - it also forms a key part of the ventilation system of the refurbished building. It's great to see it back."

The restoration project is expected to be completed in the summer.