Kelvin
Hall, Glasgow
Architect
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Thomas Gilchrist Gilmour
and Thomas P. M Somers
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Date Built
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1926 - 1927 -
later editions in 1931 & 1938
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Location
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Argyle Street
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Description
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The Kelvin Hall that occupies this site on
Argyle Street, in Glasgow's west end, is a
replacement for an earlier version that was
destroyed by fire in 1925. Initially the
hall was used to accommodate a number of
exhibitions including the Glasgow Civic and
Empire Exhibition in 1931 and the Century of
Progress Exhibition in 1935. During World
War II it was converted into a factory for the
production of barrage balloons.
In the 1950s it was once again in the business
of hosting exhibitions as well as sporting
events and concerts with Jerry Lee Lewis, Ella
Fitzgerald, Elton John, The Kinks and the Royal
Scottish National Orchestra among the
acts. Over a six week period in 1955 Billy
Graham preached to 180,000 people inside the
hall. During the 80s the building was
modified to create an International Sporting
Arena to host a variety of sporting events, a
role it continued to play until 2014 when the
Emirates Arena and Chris Hoy Velodrome took over
as hosts.
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