The world's tallest cinema building: the twelve-storey, 200-feet high UGC Cinema in Renfrew Street, photographed in 2003.
UGC Cinemas is Europe's leading cinema operator with over ninety sites. Originally a French chain, it broke into the UK market in 1999 by acquiring Virgin Cinemas. The company's stated policy is to build cinemas with innovative designs in key city centre locations that make an architectural statement. The company launched its flagship Scottish site in Renfrew Street in 2001. Built at a cost of £27 million, it has eighteen screens and more than 4,000 seats, making it Scotland's largest cinema and one of the busiest in the UK.
Not everyone has been impressed. Architects have criticised the building as being out of scale with its surroundings. In 2000 it was voted Scotland's Carbuncle of the Year. There have even been calls for its demolition, which are unlikely to be realised.
Reference: Illustrations vol 48, p 4
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
cinemas, multi-screens, Scotland's Carbuncle of the Year, UGC Cinemas
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