Tramway

Tramway was originally an important part of Glasgow’s transport history. It was built in stages from 1893 to 1912, by engineer and architect William Clark, as a tram terminus, depot and factory. It is a low, two storey construction which originally housed trams on the ground floor and stables at first floor level. Following the reduction in the use of trams in Glasgow in the early 1960s, the building was converted into the Museum of Transport in 1964, which was later relocated to the Kelvin Hall in the 1980s. The tramway building was left vacant and threatened by demolition until the late 1980s. The importance of the building was recognised in the celebration of Glasgow’s year as City of Culture in 1990 and Tramway itself was created. In 1998 Tramway was awarded Scottish Arts Council National Lottery funding to help redevelop the building. Zoo Architects redeveloped the building from 1998-2000, addressing the need for better-equipped performance, rehearsal, exhibition, and workshop spaces, and a cafe and bar. Further developments took place in 2003 when environmental arts company NVA created the Hidden Gardens from waste ground behind Tramway. In 2009, remaining derelict parts of the building were further developed by Malcolm Fraser Architects in order to house Scottish Ballet. Rehearsal studios, technical workshops, a wardrobe department and administration areas were created. Conversion to a multi-purpose centre has meant that the building has been converted into many different spaces for dance, drama and other uses. Tramway 1 is the largest performance area. It has bleacher seating near the stage and 6 rows of fixed seating behind on a gentle rake. The stage is a large space interrupted by a substantial red wall which goes almost to ceiling height. There is no grid. Tramway 2 is used as an exhibition space and as a venue for concerts. It can accommodate 1000 promenaders. It still retains original tramlines in the floor and steel pillars. Tramway 3 is the public space or throughway between the exhibition and theatre spaces which includes the Box Office and ‘Street’ area. It leads into the Café Bar and looks out onto The Hidden Gardens to the rear of the building. Tramway 4 is an adaptable black box space. Tramway 5 was created in 2009 as part of the most recent redevelopment and is used as a gallery space. The Visual Arts Studio is run by Glasgow Education Department, who have used this space since 2000 to run a wide variety of courses for students from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Work Room is a purpose-built studio, built in January 2009. The performance space is fitted with a Harlequin Tempo floor. Full length mirrors line one side of the room and there is a double bar on the other. There are male and female toilets, wetrooms, a kitchen and a green room.