Lighting_installation21 February 2006
Spotlight shines on Glasgow’s regeneration
A spectacular, multi-coloured floodlighting scheme will illuminate Glasgow’s night sky to signal the beginning of a major regeneration project at the city’s Charing Cross area.
Each night from dusk until one o’clock in the morning from Tuesday 21 February until Sunday 26 February, the installation will flood the former Strathclyde Regional Council offices on the corner of St Vincent Street and India Street with a series of colours before they are demolished to make way for Scotland’s tallest building, Elphinstone Place.
Elphinstone, the Glasgow-based property developers who are constructing the 40-storey Elphinstone Place, have commissioned Scottish-based Irish Artist Jim Buckley, recipient of the 2003 Creative Scotland Award, to illuminate the facades of the current buildings with 25 computer controlled lights normally used for major rock concerts.
The lighting project, called “FADE”, is being officially switched on by Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, at a private view this week.
Ken Ross, Chief Executive of Elphinstone, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Glasgow City Council on Elphinstone Place - a landmark for Scotland and an innovation building which will become recognised internationally. We are investing over £1 million in the demolition process alone.
He continued: “We wanted to mark the fading of the past with an inspiring and powerful display of light that will take us into an exciting and rejuvenated future.”
Jim Buckley who designed the lighting installation said: “I felt that the title “FADE” was ideal for the project for a number of reasons. The lights will have a softening effect and almost wrap the building in light as one colour slowly fades to another. Many of my works are a direct response to the site and inevitably issues of regeneration and redevelopment. This work also reflects the changes that will take place on the site as the former use, history and memories will fade as the building is demolished and Elphinstone Place begins to establish its own identity and presence on the site.”
At 134 metres the unique ‘tear-drop shaped’ building will be a full nine metres higher than Scotland’s current tallest structure – the tower at Glasgow Science Centre (125 metres).
The £120 million, apartment, office and retail development will comprise 208 luxury apartments, 20,950 sq m of office and retail space, incorporating leisure facilities with swimming pool. It will become a must-visit destination by creating vibrant, lively and engaging public areas such as the six storey atrium which will feature public art work.
