Basic Site Details Name: | Paramount Cinema, Renfield Street | City or county: | Glasgow | Country: | Scotland | Parish: | | Status: | | Grid ref: | | Notes: | It is understood that the Paramount Company’s new Glasgow cinema will be on a site in Renfield-street on the corner of West Regent-street. There is to be accommodation for 3,000 and the cost may be £300,000. The architects to the company are Messrs F T Verity and Beverley 7 Sackville-street, W1. [Builder 10 July 1931 Page 76]
The Paramount Company, London, are expected to proceed in the autumn with the demolition of the buildings on their large site in Renfield-street, preparatory to the erection of a super cinema with branch directional offices etc. The cost will run into six figures. The plans are being prepared by the company’s architects, Messrs Frank T Verity and Beverley F/FRIBA 7 Sackville-street W1. No contracts have been placed yet [Builder30 june 1933, p1057?]
The main contract for the building of the proposed 3,000 capacity cinema in Renfield-street, West Nile-street and West Regent-street for Paramount Theatre (Glasgow) Limited. 104 Oxford Street W1 has been placed with Messrs R Rogerson and Company South-street Scotstoun Glasgow. The architects are Messrs F T Verity and Beverley F/FRIBA. [Builder 4 May 1934, p777]
Reference Builder 1 February 1935 - Feature article and illustrations Page 230 Exterior Floodlit Stalls Floor Plan Page 231 View from back of Circle Page 232 Tea Room Page 233 Public Lounge and Balcony Foyer Page 255 Descriptive notes
| Alternative NamesThe following alternative names are associated with this building/design: | | Name | Current name? | Notes | | Odeon Cinema | Yes | From 1951 |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | 52-56, Renfield Street | Yes | Whole block occupied (HS list covers 52-62) | | West Nile Street | | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1930 | | Proposed | 'scheme is in its very early stages' [Builder 12 December1930] | | 18 September 1931 | | Tenders invited | | | 1933 | | | | | 31 December 1934 | | Opened | | | 1969 | 1970 | | Subdivision |
PeopleDesign and ConstructionThe following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column. | | Name | Role | Partnership Group | From | To | Notes | | Francis Thomas Verity | | A | 1933 | 1935 | | | Samuel Beverley | | A | 1933 | 1935 | | | Verity & Beverley | | A | 1933 | 1935 | | | James Reid | | B | Late 1930s(?) | | Involved with construction |
ClientsThe following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design: | | Name | Notes | | American Paramount Corporation | | | Paramount Theatre (Glasgow) Limited | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Peter, Bruce | 1996 | 100 Years of Glasgow's Amazing Cinemas | | Edinburgh: Polygon | p46-51 | | Verity | 1941 | General description & inverntory of Glasgow Paramount Theatre | | Unpublished description of theatre and contents - prepared in case of enemy action | | | Williamson, Riches, Higgs | 1990 | Glasgow (The Buildings of Scotland) | | | p231 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Architect and Building News | 1930 | Jul-Dec | | p800 | | Architect and Building News | 1933 | Jan-Jun | | p418 | | Architect and Building News | 1933 | Jul-Dec | | p311 | | Architect and Building News | 1934 | Jan-Jun | | p108 | | Builder | 10 July 1930 | | | p76 | | Builder | 12 December 1930 | | | | | Builder | 18 September 1931 | | | p479 | | Builder | 4 May 1934 | | | p777 | | Builder | 1 February 1935 | CXLVIII | | p230-235, 255 (illustration) | | Scots Magazine | December 1984 | | | | | Scotsman | 10 February 1999 | | | p20 - piece on intended restoration of Odeon (on site of Paramount), revealing art deco facade |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Courtesy of Neil Darlington | Information sent via DSA website | | Sent June 2009 | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 49233 | | | Strathclyde Regional Archives | Glasgow Dean of Guild | | Plans dated 4 May 1935, index no 1935/165 (26 sheets) |
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