Many people know Charing Cross as a major road junction in the centre of Glasgow, but before the construction of the M8 the area had a tale to tell.
The area was named after a block of tenements called Charing Cross Place which were built in the 1850s, with Charing Cross still marking the notional boundary between the West End and city centre.
One of the standout features about the area is the architecture with notable buildings such as the Mitchell Library, Charing Cross Mansions and St George's Mansions.
Charing Cross was completely changed during the 1960s along with Anderston when much of its architecture was destroyed when the West Flank of the Glasgow Inner Ring Road was built through the area.
One of the standout features about the area is the architecture with notable buildings such as the Mitchell Library, Charing Cross Mansions and St George's Mansions.
![St Andrews Hall on Berkley Street burned down in 1962. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is the replacement for the building.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/18/14/32/download%20%284%29.png.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
5. St Andrews Hall 1963
St Andrews Hall on Berkley Street burned down in 1962. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is the replacement for the building. | Glasgow City Archives
![A view outside the Mitchell Library on North Street in 1961.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/18/14/54/download%20%287%29.png.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
6. Mitchell Library 1961
A view outside the Mitchell Library on North Street in 1961. | Glasgow City Archives
![Just west of Charing Cross Mansions was the Grand Hotel, a stunning Victorian edifice which provided the base for many a Glasgow wedding reception during its lifespan. Despite the best efforts of student activists and heritage campaigners, the Grand Hotel and hundreds of other widely-admired buildings were pulled down in the late ‘60s.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/18/14/57/download%20%289%29.png.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
7. Grand Hotel
Just west of Charing Cross Mansions was the Grand Hotel, a stunning Victorian edifice which provided the base for many a Glasgow wedding reception during its lifespan. Despite the best efforts of student activists and heritage campaigners, the Grand Hotel and hundreds of other widely-admired buildings were pulled down in the late ‘60s. | Glasgow City Archives
![A view outside of Charing Cross Mansions before Tay House was built.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/06/18/14/08/download%20%286%29.png.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=600)
8. Charing Cross 1982
A view outside of Charing Cross Mansions before Tay House was built. | Glasgow City Archives