Princes Square is 30 years old this month. The decision to encase a drab open space to create a five-storey, tastefully-designed shopping centre was one of the most innovative developments to happen in the city centre.
It quickly became the poster-boy for urban renewal in Glasgow when it opened in 1988. Princes Square still looks great today. Sandstone, decorative glass, tiling, timber, the flowing escalators and ornate staircases, that wonderfully artistic metalwork on the outside.
Shops include Vivienne Westwood, Joules, Karen Millen, Ted Baker, Reiss and Kurt Geiger.
Amidst the boutiques and conspicuous designer brands, the centre is studded with places to eat of various hues. There’s a bar at the top, and at the lowest level, a sunken circle of steps where shoppers linger with bags or parents chat while kids invent games to play.
There is currently an exhibition on the first floor, called I Belong to Glasgow, that is celebrating the 30th anniversary.
There will also be free walking tours on the next two Sundays to explain the history of the square, you can find more details here.
Princes Square
48 Buchanan Street
Glasgow
G1 2GF