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 Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 1Odeon CinemaYesFrom 1951

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 252-56, Renfield StreetYesWhole block occupied (HS list covers 52-62)
Item 2 of 2West Nile Street  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 51930 Proposed'scheme is in its very early stages' [Builder 12 December1930]
Item 2 of 518 September 1931 Tenders invited 
Item 3 of 51933   
Item 4 of 531 December 1934 Opened 
Item 5 of 519691970 Subdivision

People

Design and Construction

The 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.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 4Francis Thomas Verity A19331935 
Item 2 of 4Samuel Beverley A19331935 
Item 3 of 4Verity & Beverley A19331935 
Item 4 of 4James Reid BLate 1930s(?) Involved with construction

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
 NameNotes
Item 1 of 2American Paramount Corporation 
Item 2 of 2Paramount Theatre (Glasgow) Limited 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Peter, Bruce1996100 Years of Glasgow's Amazing Cinemas Edinburgh: Polygonp46-51
Item 2 of 3Verity1941General description & inverntory of Glasgow Paramount Theatre Unpublished description of theatre and contents - prepared in case of enemy action 
Item 3 of 3Williamson, Riches, Higgs1990Glasgow (The Buildings of Scotland)  p231

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 11Architect and Building News1930Jul-Dec p800
Item 2 of 11Architect and Building News1933Jan-Jun p418
Item 3 of 11Architect and Building News1933Jul-Dec p311
Item 4 of 11Architect and Building News1934Jan-Jun p108
Item 5 of 11Builder10 July 1930  p76
Item 6 of 11Builder12 December 1930   
Item 7 of 11Builder18 September 1931  p479
Item 8 of 11Builder4 May 1934  p777
Item 9 of 11Builder1 February 1935CXLVIII p230-235, 255 (illustration)
Item 10 of 11Scots MagazineDecember 1984   
Item 11 of 11Scotsman10 February 1999  p20 - piece on intended restoration of Odeon (on site of Paramount), revealing art deco facade

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 3Courtesy of Neil DarlingtonInformation sent via DSA website Sent June 2009
Item 2 of 3Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register49233 
Item 3 of 3Strathclyde Regional ArchivesGlasgow Dean of Guild Plans dated 4 May 1935, index no 1935/165 (26 sheets)