Dowanhill
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Dowanhill is a district of Glasgow, Scotland, occupying the area west from Byres Road to Hyndland Road, and south from Great Western Road to Highburgh Road.
A residential district the area generally contains a mixture of terraced townhouses with private communal gardens, detached villas with private grounds, and a number of four-storey tenement buildings. Originally constructed in the latter half of the 19th century many of the buildings have now had their original interiors reconstructed in order to convert them into multiple flatted dwelling houses. This type of redevelopment continues to the present day.
The area is seen as being desirable due to its location in Glasgow's West End. It is situated next to the popular Byres Road area with its many bars, restaurants and shops, and is also conveniently situated adjacent to Glasgow's Botanic Gardens.
In common with many areas of the West End, continual development causes concern for many residents who fear the area becoming over-developed. This concern is highlighted in the bitter dispute over the proposed redevelopment of Dowanhill Tennis Club (see link below).
In 2005/06 due to increased traffic levels and to discourage 'rat-running' Glasgow City Council introduced traffic calming measures and converted some streets into one-way traffic systems.
In 1869 Jefferson Davis, the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, stayed in Dowanhill while visiting the Glasgow merchant James Smith (Urquhart 2000, p. 28).
The first registered scout troop in the world, the 1st Glasgow Scout Troop, continues in Northcote to this day. Captain 'Boss' Young established the troop in 1907 and registered it on the 28th January 1908.
[edit] Notable buildings
The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Luke is situated on Dundonald Road.
Great Western Terrace designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson is situated on Great Western Road.
Westbourne Terrace designed by Alexander Greek Thomson is situated on Hyndland Road.
[edit] External links
- Friends of Glasgow West
- Glasgow West End Festival
- Scotland on Sunday article relating to the dispute over Dowanhill Tennis Club
- 1st Glasgow Scout Troop
[edit] References
- Urquhart, Gordon R. (2000). Along Great Western Road. Stenlake. ISBN 1-84033-115-1.
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