Picture this a bustling Glasgow suburb in the 1930s. Kelvindale is alive with the sounds of construction. New houses rise from the ground. Semi-detached villas and tenements are built for rent not sale.
Kelvindale a district in Glasgow’s West End has a rich history. It’s known for its charming interwar housing. These homes represent a unique era of Glasgow’s development. Many streets bear English names. Dorchester Avenue Ripon Drive and others evoke a sense of place far from Scotland. However some streets like Grandtully Drive and Fortingall Avenue pay homage to Scottish locations. This blend reflects Kelvindale’s own unique identity.
The construction of Kelvindale wasn’t just a simple building project. The City Corporation started the work in the late 1920s. Mactaggart & Mickel a Glasgow based housebuilding company continued the effort in the 1930s. The Western Heritable Investment Company further expanded the area. They built the last pre-war tenements between 1934 and 1938. These tenements are special because they’re built on concrete rafts. This was necessary due to old mine workings under the land. Originally planned as four-storey buildings Scots law limited their height to three.
Giant gas holders dominated Kelvindale’s skyline. Erected in 1891 they were reportedly the largest in the UK. These now decommissioned structures are Category B listed buildings. A former RAF balloon unit was stationed here during World War II. This was on land now occupied by ex-MoD housing and Kelvindale Primary School. The large fields used for grazing have been replaced by buildings and the school. Gibson Hall a former Glasgow Caledonian University hall was recently demolished. Flanders House built for soldiers of the Great War also met a similar fate in 2006. Both have been replaced by modern constructions.
Kelvindale’s development wasn’t without controversy. In the early 2000s it remained a desirable area. However in 2007 Bryant Homes controversially removed many trees. This was to improve access to a new housing development. Actor Robert Carlyle was among those who protested. In 2009 a suspected arson attack damaged a construction site. A partially built four-storey block was destroyed. The single occupied building had to be evacuated.
Today Kelvindale is easily accessible. Kelvindale railway station opened in 2005. It’s situated on the line from Glasgow Queen Street to Anniesland. Several bus routes serve the area. The Kelvin Cycle Way runs through Kelvindale connecting to other cycle paths. Kelvindale Primary School provides local education. This was necessary as children previously had to travel further. The original school opened in 1964. Over time annexes were added. Its football pitch was replaced with an AstroTurf pitch in 2006.
Kelvindale stands as a testament to Glasgow’s growth and change. A blend of history and modernity it is a vibrant and desirable place to live. From its construction to its modern amenities Kelvindale’s story is a fascinating chapter in Glasgow’s past.