Overview
You enter from the street facing east, either through a push button controlled sliding door or up one step through a revolving door. The push button of the sliding door is to your right both as you enter and leave the building. Between these entrances is an area with wheelchairs which can be loaned for use in the building.
The ground floor entrance hall is cross-shaped with the main axis running east with a row of 9 double granite pillars to each side of the main walkway, about two metres from the walls. The space between these pillars and the walls is occupied by tables and seats. There's another round pillar to each side of the main, revolving door, entrance which is paired with a square pillar as part of the wall.
There are additional pillars in the arms of the cross. Towards the west side of each arm is a double round pillar north south followed by a single pillar next to a square one which is part of the wall.
The Reception desk is at the east end of the entrance hall. In the middle of the north arm is a male statue on a plinth and a female statue in the middle of the south. We understand these are on loan from the Kelvin Grove museum which is currently being refurbished.
The ceilings are arched with ornate designs in mosaic tiles. There is a mosaic of the Glasgow coat of arms in the middle of the floor in front of the entrance.
The walkways to the stairs, Marble stairs to the left (north) and Working Stairs to your right (south) leave the main hall, just west of the reception desk. The start of each walkway has an arch carved with ornate figurines.
Layout
The Entrance Hall, Going Clockwise from the Main Entrance
West Side
revolving door entrance
wheelchair area
sliding door entrance
North Side
Merchant Navy badge, on wall
2 round pillars
North Arm
West Side
door to disabled persons toilet
North Side
square pillar
round pillar
curved alcove with remembrance lamp
round pillar, on east side of alcove
East Side
blank door with figures each side
glass case in front with books of roll of honour
square pillar
The Main Hall
There are chairs and tables along the north and south sides, the reception desk at the east end.
South Arm
East Side
blank door with statues each side and ramp up to it
South Side
curved alcove with seating
blank door
glass case commemorating the adoption of HMS Duke of York by Glasgow
West Side
seat, in front of windows with ornate decoration
pair of pillars, round one is east of square
phone
pair of pillars
revolving door entrance
The Area Around the Foot of the Marble Staircase
Having turned left (north) from Reception, you go through a short corridor including a steep ramp up, into the area including the foot of the Marble Stairs.
South Side
entrance from Reception
ornate granite wall
West Side
door, blocked with glass case in north arm of entrance hall
glass case, with various military memorabilia
glass case with Rennie Mackintosh high backed chair
blank door
glass case with gifts to the city
glass case with glass and silver ware, gifts to the city
North Side
blank doors
coat hangers
East Side
underneath stairs
foot of stairs going up north
opaque window
sofa in alcove
South Side
ornate granite wall
entrance from Reception
The Area Around the Foot of the Working Staircase
Having turned right (south) from Reception, you go through a short passage, including a steep ramp up into the area around the foot of the Working Stairs.
North Side
entrance from Reception
ornate stoneware
East Side
alcove with window onto the open centre of the building
3 steps up south to the foot of the Working Staircase
pillar
3 steps going east to the foot of the Working staircase
table
alcove with:
North Side
blank door
East Side
door to corridor running east towards the Town Clerk and other municipal offices
The lift door is on the left-hand (north) side of this corridor.
South Side
stained glass partition
glass case with commemorative gifts
West Side
glass case with memorabilia
door to the Head of Public Relations and Marketing
2 glass cases with gifts to the city
door from south arm of entrance hall (blocked)
North Side
chairs carved with the Glasgow coat of arms, with table between them
entrance from Reception
More information and further links can be found on the Access Guide to Glasgow City Chambers page
Background information on this pilot project is available on the Access Guides page