
A ‘significant step’ in the restoration and renovation of the iconic North Rotunda on Glasgow’s Clydeside has been taken as the top of its roof is now in place.
The installation of the 5.5 tonne cupola – a painstaking recreation of the original feature, hand-crafted from oak and lead, with the building’s original copper weathervane at the peak – was a major task in the ongoing programme of work to transform the ‘tired old building’ into a live music and wedding venue.
The new cupola has taken six months to make, at a cost of £100,000.
Keith Vallance of owner developers Forrest Group said: “This is a big step forward for this massive project – and it feels like it too.
“Seeing the crane slowly lower this beautiful hand-crafted structure on to the peak of the roof was a real landmark moment.
“It’s exciting to see our plans begin to take shape – the time and effort we have taken to get this right has all been worth it,” said Vallance.
“We are creating an exciting new venue but as we always said, we’re doing so in a very respectful way, restoring the structure to enhance the beautiful old features and showcase them in the best way possible.”
The new cupola is five metres in diameter and is constructed from an accoya timber frame, with a lead roof and double glazed individually paned windows
Main contractors Fultons and specialists Maxwells, both of Govan, combined to produce this ‘masterpiece’, which was lowered into place by a 150ft crane suppied by Forsyth’s.
Vallance said: “A huge team have made this happen today and it really does feel special to look across from The RED Sky Bar and see this beautiful new dome sitting on top of the North Rotunda building.
“There’s a lot of work still to do of course but watching on as the expert team manoeuvered this massive work of art into position felt like a key moment – and of course it is structurally important in terms of allowing other works to kick in now it’s in place.
“It sort of looks and feels like the cherry has been placed on top of the cake – even though we have quite a bit of baking still to do,” he said.
“I hope it give people a thrill to see this striking but sympathetic element of the old building – it certainly did for us – once it was secured in place safely!”
The Rotunda and Roundhouse is scheduled to open in 2026.