Area Name:

Dowanhill

Part of Glasgow:

West (North of River Clyde)

Postcode:

G12 9__

Dowanhill is a world class place to live and is recognized both nationally and internationally as such.

It is an established neighbourhood with a unique and vibrant identity which cannot be matched anywhere else in the city.

As a result demand for accommodation is very high particularly during August an September when University based renters start their annual accommodation hunt.

Marks

9 (out of 10)

Dowanhill was designated as a Conservation Area in 1972 and is an area in the heart of the West End of Glasgow bounded by Great Western Road to its northern boundary, Highburgh Road to the South, Hyndland to its West and Byres Road to the East.

Many Glaswegians (particularly those who live in the area itself) consider Dowanhill to be the West End.

Dowanhill is without question a fabulous location. Whilst it is predominately residential in nature, Byres Road itself is the main retail and social hub of the area with its vibrant mix of boutiques, bars, coffee houses and shops.

The character of the area itself is a result of the manner in which the buildings have been carefully maintained by their owners through the years.

Whilst other areas have suffered from widespread destruction in the 1960’s and 1970’s by a local council overly eager for modernization at the expense of heritage and culture, this was more readily achievable in the other inner city areas where the original buildings had been neglected and were poorly maintained.

Stability of many local residents and the cache of the area have always been such that there was minimal migration away from Dowanhill in the mid 20^th Century unlike many other areas where the increased mobility of the population encouraged them to seek the suburbs to the west and to the south.

The introduction of Repair Grants funded by Glasgow City Council from the mid 1970’s encouraged improvement in any lower quality housing stock and ensured that the architectural heritage of the area would be preserved in to the 21^st Century.

As a consequence today the area is in great demand which is reflected in both purchase and letting prices.

Marks:

9 (out of 10)

The amenities and attractions of the Dowanhill area are obvious and varied. Byres Road and Ashton Lane provide a rich mix of pubs, clubs and restaurants which attract visitors worldwide.

The Botanic Gardens is another feature of this area as it lies to the immediate North of Great Western Road and is well used by the local residents.

There are fantastic transportation links into the City Centre either by bus or by Underground which is accessed from Hillhead Underground station on Byres Road.

The city centre is within walking distance as is Glasgow University on University Avenue, Western Hospital on Dumbarton Road and the BBC on Queen Margaret Drive.

The Ubiquitous Chip is a restaurant of international repute and is normally booked up months in advance as is Room at One Devonshire Gardens which lies to the immediate west of Dowanhill on Great Western Road.

Schools are good and are well above the national average. There are also a large number of Independent Schools in the area which provide education of an international standard.

Marks:

9 (out of 10)

The Dowanhill area is characterized by a high proportion of period townhouses, terraces and tenement buildings predominately from the late 19^th Century originally built to cater for Glasgow’s middle classes.

Dowanhill is still a home for many of the richest and most influential in West End society, many families having stayed in the area for several generations.

The buildings are predominately between 2 to 4 stories in height treated externally in buff colour sandstone obtained from local quarries and are often constructed around private residents’ gardens or other resident facilities such as bowling greens or tennis courts.

The tenement style apartment blocks tend to be 4 or 5 stories in height which reflect the speculative nature of their construction and the fact that their development began in the late 19^th Century when the area was already established with the correspondent increase in land values.

The buildings facades are generally in the restrained Classical Roman or Greek Style prevalent in the late 19^th Century. The tenements are even more restrained with the majority of detailing externally restricted to the entrances, ornate bay windows or the railings which front the properties.

Today the majority of residential property is apartments, usually in a purpose built tenement block but occasionally in a converted townhouse or villa.  The quality of accommodation is generally very high which is reflective of the high property prices and rental values being obtained in this area.

Some of the earlier conversions which were carried out in the 1950’s and 60’s are of a poorer standard as they were converted to accommodate the rapidly expanding student and staff population of Glasgow University and the Western Infirmary when purchase costs were lower.

This stock is now dwindling as they are frequently reconverted or refurbished. The area is in very high demand particularly with young single professionals and professional couples.

Population:

The existing population is an established and eclectic mix of residents, predominately professional middle class with a high proportion of lecturers, television and media employees and medical staff who work in the BBC, Western Hospital or Glasgow University which are all within walking distance of the area.

There are also a large number of city professionals who live here, attracted by the vibrant nightlife, good mix of restaurants, shops and bars together with its close proximity to the city centre and the well developed transportation links both to the city and beyond.

Parking:

Permits and meters.

History of Area

The area can be seen as developing from 1840 when the Great Western Road was constructed in order to provide a direct route from the city to the areas to the west of the city for the first time.

This was a result of the rapid expansion within the centre of Glasgow itself in the mid 19^th Century when the rapid increase in population coupled with problems of overcrowding, disease and poor sanitation necessitated expansion to the cleaner air to the west.

This westward trend encouraged the relocation of the Botanic Gardens to the Kelvinside estate several years later which in turn further accelerated the change in the area from the isolated farm communities and large country estates of the very wealthy.

The attractions of the areas around Great Western Road were obvious.

The area was undeveloped and offered the middle and upper classes the opportunity to escape from the overcrowding and disease of the inner city areas which were increasing alarmingly in population into the countryside.

Byres Road itself was originally the road which led from Partick to the mansion of Byres of Partick. Until the mid 19th Century this road was little more than a minor access road with a mix of single storey to 2 storey buildings in the traditional Scottish vernacular. (e.g. Curlers Bar which dates from mid 18th Century).

In 1872 Byres Road became the High Street of the newly defined Burgh of Hillhead and was lined with newly constructed tenements.

Speculative development started in the 1860’s  initially along the length of Great Western Road itself. Several prominent architects were commissioned for this prestigious work most notably Charles Wilson, Alexander Greek Thomson, James Thomson and John T. Rochead as developers strived to offer the highest standards of modern living available at the time.

As the area became more established, particularly after Glasgow University relocated itself to Gilmorehill in 1870, mass development increased and the form of the tenement became more widespread in the area as developers sought to accommodate higher density affordable housing for a typical Glaswegian family.

Local Council:

Glasgow City Council,

Telephone: 0141 287 2000

Website : http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

Nearest Police Station:

Strathclyde Police 1380 Maryhill Rd, Glasgow ,

Maryhill, Glasgow, G20 9TX

Telephone: 0141 532 3700

Nearest Hospital:

Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road,

Glasgow G11 6NT

Telephone: 0141 211 2000

Website : http://www.nhsgg.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s2_2&loc_id=14/

Nearest Library:

Hillhead Library,  Byres Road,

Hillhead, Glasgow G
Telephone: 0141

Website:

Main Retail Area:

Byres Road, Great Western Road

Nurseries:

Kelvin Side Day Nursery 17, Lancaster Crescent Lane,

Kelvinside, Glasgow, G12 0RS

Telephone: 0141 334 1124

University of Glasgow Nursery, 28 Hillhead Street
Glasgow, G12 8PZ

Telephone: 0141 334 4650

Website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/nursery/

Somerset Nursery,2a & 3 Parkgrove Terrace,

Kelvingrove, Glasgow. G3 7SD

Telephone: 0141 337 6655

Primary Schools:

Dowanhill Primary School, 30 Havelock Street

Dowanhill. Glasgow G11 5JE.

Telephone: 0141 339 0778

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Findaschool/

Notre Dame Primary School, 66 Victoria Crescent Road,

Dowanhill Glasgow G12 9JL

Telephone: 0141 334 2762

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Findaschool/

Willowbank Primary School, Willowbank Crescent,

Woodlands Road Woodlands, Glasgow. G3 6NB

Telephone: 0141 332 6281

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Findaschool/

St. Aloysius, 45 Hill Street,

Garnethill, Glasgow. G3 6RJ

Telephone: 0141 332 3190 (Independent Fee paying school)

Website: http://www.staloysius.org/

The Glasgow Academy Colebrooke Street

Glasgow G12 8HE

Telephone: 0141 334 8558 (Independent Fee paying school)

http://www.theglasgowacademy.org.uk/

Secondary Schools:

Hyndland Secondary School, Lauderdale Gardens

Glasgow G12 9RQ.

Telephone: 0141 582 0130

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Findaschool/

Notre Dame High School, 160 Observatory Road,

Dowanhill, Glasgow G12 9LN

Telephone: 0141 582 0190

Website: http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/Findaschool/

St. Aloysius, 45 Hill Street,

Garnethill Glasgow G3 6RJ

Telephone: 0141 3323190 (Independent Fee paying school)

Website: http://www.staloysius.org/

The Glasgow Academy, Colebrooke Street

Glasgow G12 8HE

Telephone: 0141 334 8558 (Independent Fee paying school)

Website: http://www.theglasgowacademy.org.uk/

Further Education:

University of Glasgow, University Avenue

Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Telephone: 0141 330 2000

Website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/

University of Strathclyde, Cathedral Street,

City Centre, Glasgow G1

Telephone: 0141 582 0190

Website: http://www.strath.ac.uk/

Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road
City Centre, Glasgow. G4 0BA

Telephone: 0800 027 9171 (Independent Fee paying school)

Website: http://www.gcal.ac.uk/

Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street,

Garnethill, Glasgow. G3 6RQ

Telephone: 0141 353 4517

Website:  http://www.gsa.ac.uk/

Stow College 43 Shamrock Street

Cowcaddens,  Glasgow G4 9LD

Telephone: 0141-332 1786

Website: http://www.stow.ac.uk/

Nearest Airport:

Glasgow International Airport (5.4 miles)

Abbotsinch, Paisley, PA3 2SJ

Website: http://www.glasgowairport.com/

Underground:

Hillhead Underground Station, Byres Road (0.1 miles)

Hillhead, Glasgow

Website: http://www.spt.co.uk/subway/

Train Stations:

Partick Station (0.6 miles)

Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow, G2 4PR

Telephone: 0845 748 4950

Hyndland Station (0.5 miles)

Queensborough Gardens, Hyndland, Glasgow, G12 9PP

Website:http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/content/travelinfo/station-info.php?stationletter=H

Glasgow Central Station (1.6 miles)
Gordon Street, City Centre,  Glasgow G1 3SL

Telephone: 0141 335 4352
Office Opening hours: 0730-1700 hours Monday – Friday

For train times, ticket information etc.:

First ScotRail – 0845 601 5929
Virgin – 0845 744 3366
GNER – 0845 722 5444

National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50

Bus Station:

Buchanan Bus Station (1.9 miles)

Killermont St, Glasgow, G2 3NW

Telephone: 0141 333 3708

Taxi

Glasgow Taxis

Telephone: 0141 429 7070

Website: http://www.glasgowtaxisltd.co.uk/

Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road,

Glasgow G12 0UE
Telephone: 0141 334 2422

Kibble Palace, Botanic Gardens (1863 by James Cousland)

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Argyle Street,

Kelvingrove, Glasgow.G3 8AG
Telephone: 0141 276 9599

Website: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4

Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena 1431-1451 Argyle St,

Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, G3 8AW

Telephone: 0141 357 2525

Transport Museum, 1 Burnhouse Rd,

Kelvinhall, Glasgow, G3 8DP.

Telephone: 0141 287 2720

Website: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=7

Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street,

Garnethill, Glasgow. G3 6RQ

Telephone: 0141 353 4517

Website:  http://www.gsa.ac.uk/

Area Landmarks:

Grosvenor Terrace, 1855 by J T Rochead (Grade A Listed from 15/12/1970)

Great Western Terrace Masterplan (1855-1867 by Decimus Burton)

Former Kelvinside Parish Church, 731 Great Western Road

BBC Queen Margaret Drive, (1869 by JT Rochead)

Scots College, BBC Queen Margaret Drive (1895 by John Keppie & Charles Rennie Mackintosh)

North Park Terrace, Hamilton Drive, Hillhead ( 1866 by Alexander "Greek" Thomson)

Belgrave Terrace, Great Western Road

Buckingham Terrace, Great Western Road

Western Baths, Cranworth Street, Hillhead

Curler's Tavern, Byres Road (dating from 18th Century)

Botanic Gardens Garage, (now Arnold Clarks) Vinicombe Street, Hillhead

The Salon Cinema (1912-1913 by Brand & Lithgow) Vinicombe Street, Hi

Nearby Landmarks:

Mitchell Library,  North Street,

Charing Cross, Glasgow G3 7DN
Telephone: 0141 287 2999

Website: http://www.mitchelllibrary.org/

Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Argyle Street,

Kelvingrove, Glasgow.G3 8AG
Telephone: 0141 276 9599

Website: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4

Glasgow University, University Avenue,

Hillhead, Glasgow. G12 8QQ

Telephone: 0141-330 2000

Website: http://www.gla.ac.uk/

Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay
Finnieston Glasgow. G51 1EA

Telephone: 0871 540 1000

Website: http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/

Armadillo, SECC,

Finnieston Glasgow G3 8YW
Telephone: 0141 248 3000

Website: http://www.secc.co.uk/

Tickets Website: http://www.secctickets.com/

Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street,

Garnethill, Glasgow. G3 6RQ

Telephone: 0141 353 4517

Website:  http://www.gsa.ac.uk/

Eating Out:

Room at One Devonshire Gardens, Great Western Road,

Hyndland, Glasgow. G12 0UX

Telephone: 0141 339 2001

http://www.onedevonshiregardens.com/

Two Fat Ladies (Fish), 88 Dumbarton Road,

Kelvinhall, Glasgow. G11 6NX

Telephone: 0141 339 1944

http://www.twofatladies.org/

The Ubiquitous Chip, (Scottish) 12 Ashton Lane
Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8SJ
Telephone: 0141 334 5007

Website: http://www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk/

Ashoka, 19 Ashton Lane,

Hillhead, Glasgow. G12 8SJ

Phone: 0141 337 1115

Website: www.harlequinrestaurants.com/

Little Italy, 205 Byres Road
Dowanhill Glasgow. G12 8TN

Telephone: 0141 339 6287

Website: http://www.littleitalyglasgow.com/

Tinderbox, 189 Byres Rd

Partick, Glasgow, G12 8TS
Telephone: 0141 339 3108

No.16, (Modern and European) 16 Byres Road
Kelvinhall, Glasgow G11 5JY
Telephone: 0141 339 2544

The Sisters Kelvingrove, (Modern and European) 36 Kelvingrove St
Kelvingrove, Glasgow.
Telephone: 0141 564 1157

Bars & Pubs:

Oran-Mor, Byres Road, (opposite Botanic Gardens)

Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8QX

Telephone: 0141 357 6201

Website: http://www.oran-mor.co.uk/

Jinty McGuinty's, 23 Ashton Lane

Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8SJ

Telephone: 0141 339 0747

Tennents Bar, 191 Byres Rd

Dowanhill, Glasgow G12 8TN

Telephone: 0141 341 1021

The Rock, 205 Hyndland Rd

Dowanhill, Glasgow G12 9HE

Telephone 0141 334 6977

Cottiers, 36 Kelvingrove Street
Hillhead, Glasgow.
Telephone: 0141 564 1157

Vodka Wodka, 31, Ashton Lane,

Hillhead, Glasgow. G12 8SJ

Tel: 0141 341 0669  

The Lismore, 206 Dumbarton Rd,

Partick, Glasgow G11 6UN

Telephone: 0141 576 0103

Booly Mardy's, 28 Vinicombe Street
Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8BE,

Tel: 0141 560 8004

Website: http://www.bloodymarys.co.uk/

Bar Budda, 8 Cresswell Lane
Dowanhill, Glasgow

Telephone: 0141 221 5279

Website: http://www.barbudda.com/

Nicos Café Bar, 379, Sauchiehall St,

City Centre, Glasgow, G2 3HU

Tel: 0141 332 7438  

Food & Drink:

Peckhams, 100 Byres Road,

Kelvinhall, Glasgow G12 8TB

Telephone: 0141 357 1454

http://www.peckhams.co.uk/

I. J. Mellis, Cheesemonger, 492 Great Western Road,

Kelvinbridge, Glasgow. G12 8EW

Telephone: 0141 339 8998

Website: http://www.ijmellischeesemonger.com/

Roots and Fruits, Byres Road,

Dowanhill, Glasgow. G12 8AU

Telephone: 0141 339 5164

Website: http://www.rootsandfruits.co.uk/

Delizique, 66 Hyndland Street,

Partick, Glasgow G11 5PT

Telephone: 0141 339 2000

Il Cappuccino, 491 Great Western Road,

Kelvinbridge. Glasgow G12 8HL

Telephone: 0141 337 3001

Lupe Pintos - 313 Great Western Road,

Woodlands, Glasgow

Telephone: 0141 334 5444

Heart Buchanan, 380 Byres Road,

Hillhead, Glasgow

Telephone: 0141 334 7626

Website: http://www.heartbuchanan.co.uk/heartbuchanan/

Polish Taste, 21 Hyndland Street,

Glasgow G11 5QE.

Telephone: 0141 338 6899

Theatre:

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall St, ,

City Centre, Glasgow, G2 3NY

Telephone: 0141 353 8000

Website: http://www.grch.com/

Mitchell Theatre, 6 Granville St,

Sandyford, Glasgow. G3 7DR

Telephone: 0141 287 5005

King's Theatre, 297 Bath Street,

City Centre, Glasgow, G2 4JN

Telephone: 0141 248 5332

Website: http://www.theambassadors.com/kings/

Grosvenor Cinema, 24 Ashton Lane,

Hillhead, Glasgow. G12 8SJ

Telephone: 0141 339 8444

Website: http://www.grosvenorcinema.co.uk/

Public Facilities:

Scotstoun Leisure Centre &

National Badminton Academy, Danes Drive

Jordanhill, Glasgow. G14 9HU
Telephone: 0141 959 4000

Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, 1431-1451 Argyle St,

Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, G3 8AW

Telephone: 0141 357 2525

Western Baths, 12 Cranworth Street,

Hillhead, Glasgow. G12 8BZ
Phone: 0141 576 0294

Website: http://www.thewesternbaths.co.uk/

Private Gyms:

Greens Health and Fitness, 141 Finnieston Street
Glasgow. G3 8HB

Telephone: 0141 243 2200

Website: http://www.greensonline.co.uk/

Golf Clubs:

Pollok Golf Club, 90 Barrhead Road
Glasgow. G43 1BG

Telephone: 0141 632 1080

Website: http://www.pollokgolf.com/

Haggs Castle Golf Club, 70 Dumbreck Road

Dumbreck, Glasgow. G41 4SN

Telephone: 0141 427 1157

Website: http://www.haggscastlegolfclub.com/

Milngavie Golf Club, Laighpark
Milngavie, Glasgow. G62 8EP,

Telephone: 0141 956 1619

Website: http://www.milngaviegc.com/

Best Streets:

Belhaven Terrace

Huntly Gardens

Athole Gardens

Grosvenor Crescent

Dowanhill Street

Crown Terrace

Princes Terrace

Tips:

Dowanhill is a fantastic place to rent a flat. Points to watch out for are as follows:

Limited wheelchair access / provision: As in the Park Area many of the streets are on inclines. This coupled with the steps to the raised ground floors of many properties mean that the area is less suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with physical impairment.

Flat Hunting: Try to avoid the peak periods of August and September if possible. November and December is quieter. If possible try to look for property in May or June when there is a downturn in demand from students and lecturers in particular.

Byres Road: Flats above retail premises on Byres Road can offer great value accommodation however  the area is very busy and noisy particularly at the weekends so if you like peace and quiet opt for the quieter streets which run off Byres Road itself. If you are determined to let in Byres Road then try to opt for a flat with a bedroom to the rear of the property which will be slightly quieter.

Great Western Road: We particularly like the accommodation located to the southern side of the Great Western Road within the Dowanhill boundary. Unlike the blocks in neighbouring Hillhead they are well set back from the main thoroughfare and also offer northerly views of the Botanic Gardens. Accommodation is also generally of a particularly fine standard.

Studio Flats: Whilst there are many studios in Dowanhill which offer fantastic spaces created from Drawing Rooms or public rooms of period Townhouses there are still several studio flats which are in poor condition and offer rear views of back garden areas in dimly lit poor quality conversions. Please be sure that your landlord can provide an HIMO Certificate where necessary or alternatively that the Building complies with the relevant Building Regulations and Fire and Safety requirements.

Best Buy: Look at properties to rent in Roxburgh Street if your budget cannot stretch to the pricier Garden properties of Athole or Huntly Gardens. In our view they offer better quality traditional tenement accommodation than the perfectly adequate equivalents on Ruthven Street and even Dowanside Road. As well as offering the true flavour of West End tenement living they are also perfectly located for Byres Road without the bustle associated with the West End's main thoroughfare.

Family Homes: The high purchase cost of family homes in the area and huge demand means that townhouses available to rent are in very short supply and great demand. If you do not wish to wait for such a property then consider the Kelvinside area where property is slightly more affordable and more readily available. Kelvinside itself is also generally more suburban and family orientated.

Further Reading:

External Links:

Mitchell Library: http://www.mitchelllibrary.org/virtualmitchell

Glasgow Guide: http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/images_kelvingrove.html

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