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''For the London building see Egyptian Hall'' The Egyptian Halls is a category A listed building at 84–100 Union Street, Glasgow, Scotland.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=84-100 (even nos) Union Street: Listed Building Report )〕 It was built between 1870–72 and designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. Other than some retailers on the ground floor, the building is currently unoccupied. Despite several attempts at restoration, it remained in a parlous state and was under threat of demolition in 2011.〔 Planning approval and listed building consent has since been given for a scheme which has secured funding for conversion to a 114 bed four-star hotel. As of 20 February 2013, subsidy was still being sought for work to the ground floor. ==History== Work started on the Egyptian Halls in March 1870 to provide new commercial premises for James Robertson, an iron manufacturer, and was completed in 1872.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=History )〕 Built using cast iron and stone, the Egyptian Halls was one of the last major projects of Alexander Thomson. The building broke many of the rules of the time; thick stone columns normally found at ground level were on the top floor. The building is built on four storeys. The ground floor was occupied by shops with fully glazed wide bays.〔 The first floor features eighteen window bays divided by square columns with a flowing scroll capital.〔 On the second floor, shorter couple columns are positioned exactly above the first floor columns, again above these columns is a decorative entablature with a Roman-style decoration.〔 Finally, on the third floor is a plinth with dwarf columns and pseudo-Egyptian lotus flower capitals.〔 Behind these columns is a continuous glazed screen, which is not fixed to these columns. Topping these columns is another entablature with a cornice. This 'attic' room is lit by a series of sloping skylights. The name of the building seems to be a misnomer as there is very little Egyptian influence in its design.〔 Instead, it is more closely modelled on Greek classical architecture, in particular the Corinthian order of the Tower of the Winds in Athens, which was Thomson's ideal of design.〔 It is speculated that it takes its title from the earlier Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London, which was the precursor for the large multi-purpose commercial premises of Thomson's building.〔 It is also speculated that some of the shops may have been Egyptian-themed.〔 In addition to the shops, the building featured a lecture room, bazaar and a large central hall where displays of paintings and antiquities were staged, including the display of the complete Egyptian tomb of Thebes.〔 Thomson was very proud of his work. Writing to his brother George, he commented: "He (client ) is very proud of the building – a writer in ''The Architect'' says of it – this is probably the Architect's most successful effort, and we doubt if its equal, for originality, grandeur of treatment or imposing effect, could be found in any City, not excepting the Metropolis itself." 〔 The building has been described as one of the finest in Glasgow〔 and, according to the secretary of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, is the ''finest surviving example of an Alexander Thomson commercial building'' and is of ''international importance''.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Egyptian Halls bid to survive )〕 It has been protected as a category A listed building since 1966.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「The Egyptian Halls」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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