The station was opened in 1879 and was extended further between 1901 and 1906.
The entrance features ornate ironwork. Seven pillars support the glazed porte-cochere arcade with the travel centre behind and the stone edifice of the Central Hotel rising above. The station recently won National Rail Awards Major Station of the Year 2009 and Overall Station of the Year 2009.
Over 34 million people visit the station each year, equating to approximately 104,000 every day.
Chronology
- The station was opened by the Caledonian Railway on 1 August 1879.
- The booking hall and concourse were completed in 1882.
- Glasgow Central station hotel was opened on 19 June 1883 and extended in 1907.
- The low level station opened on 10 August 1896 and was extended between 1899 and 1905.
- The low level station closed on 5 October 1964 but reopened on 5 November 1979.
- The concourse was remodelled in 1985.
Station design
- The first phase of work was designed by Edinburgh architect, Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.
- The extension was designed by architect James Miller and engineer Donald Mathieson.
- The
1882 roof was a longitudinal ridge and furrow design measuring 213ft
wide by 560ft long. It was designed by Blyth and Cunningham.
- This roof was extended in 1906 with two transverse ridge and furrow roofs, also designed by Blyth and Cunningham.
- The Central station hotel was also designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson while its extension was designed by James Miller.