520 Sauchiehall Street

It’s complicated

Piano seller Thomas Ewing might be surprised to see what has happened to the red sandstone building first designed for him by David Paton Low in around 1895.

It has had many identities since then – cinema, bar, nightclubs of varying style and status – and each new image reflected changing fortunes of Sauchiehall Street.

Johnny Rodger points out clues to the origins in the statues and embellishments decorating the red sandstone. A pipe-playing Harmony, Greek Goddess of peace and love watches over the building. Sharp eyed club goers might have spotted the bizarre bust of Beethoven looming over the back entrance.

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