301 St Vincent Street / Abbey National House, Glasgow, 2025

A large, modern office building with dark glass panels and greenery on upper terraces sits at a street corner. Cars are parked nearby, traffic lights and street signs are visible. A construction crane and unfinished high-rise can be seen in the background.

Originally built as the HQ of Britoil (later BP) in the early 1980’s, and subsequently acquired by Abbey National (later Santander) in 1993, this was once the largest single-occupant building in the UK.

Though not modernist, this is the kind of modern building I enjoy. The darkened glass and brown detailing give it dramatic mood, it fits excellently into the uneven site, and the integrated nature softens it.

A planning application (filled with historical information and imagery, which I am thankful for) was filed in March/April 2024, but when I visited in October 2025, it didn’t appear that any work had taken place. The application is for a full internal refurbishment as well as a new façade with a curtain system providing improved energy performance. If I knew the external appearance was at risk, I’d have taken better pictures, but hey — it might still look the same by the time I return to Glasgow.

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#canon eos r6 #glasgow #not modernist still a delight #ziggurat