Livingstone Tower

In 1964, a towering structure pierced the Glasgow skyline: the Livingstone Tower. Originally christened “Alec House,” this building was intended as a commercial office space. A collaboration between Glasgow Corporation, the Royal College of Science and Technology, and a development company, it was a testament to post-war optimism and ambition. But fate, it seems, had other plans for the Livingstone Tower. The building stood empty, its advanced elevator system and dark green glass panels awaiting occupants. Meanwhile, next door, the McCance Building was rising to house the newly formed University of Strathclyde’s library and departments. Seeing an opportunity, the university swooped in, securing a 99-year lease on the Livingstone Tower in 1965. They renamed it after David Livingstone, the famed explorer who had studied medicine at the university’s precursor, Anderson’s College. The Livingstone Tower became an extension of the university, providing much-needed space for expanding departments. Over the decades, the Livingstone Tower has witnessed the ebb and flow of university life. It even housed the studios of Celtic Music Radio on the 14th floor. A roof terrace, once a haven for the university Principal, was transformed into the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship in 2000, thanks to a generous donation from Sir Tom Hunter. This added a 14th floor, accessible by stairs from the 13th. The Hunter Centre was later relocated and the space taken over by the Strathclyde Business School Centre for Corporate Connections. The Livingstone Tower stands as a testament to adaptability and changing times. It’s a landmark in Glasgow’s East End, visible for miles thanks to its prominent position on the Rottenrow drumlin. The building continues to serve the University of Strathclyde, housing departments like Computer and Information Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, and the English Language Teaching Division. The Livingstone Tower: a silent observer of Glasgow’s ever-evolving landscape.