Glasgow Metropolitan College

Campuses

The College had five campuses within the city the largest being in the city centre at North Hanover Street. The Glasgow College of Building had a presence on this site since 1927 although its iconic high rise tower building (later known as the Met Tower) was constructed in 1961-64.

It was announced in 2008 that the College would participate in the creation of a 'super campus' to be built by 2012 and based in Glasgow city centre. This will be the largest college development project ever in the UK and will also be one of the largest in Europe.

The five campuses were all located within the City of Glasgow;

• North Hanover Street Campus, 60 North Hanover Street, Glasgow, G1 2BP ()
• Cathedral Street Campus, 230 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 2TG ()
• Rogart Street Campus, 4 Rogart Street, Glasgow, G40 2AA ()
• Dornoch Street Campus, Dornoch Street, Glasgow, G40 2QT ()
• Florence Street Campus, 5 Florence Street, Glasgow, G5 0VX ()

The Cathedral Street campus was chosen as the location for the replacement super campus, and the former Food Technology College and Allan Glen buildings were demolished for its construction. The former College of Building and Printing (Met Tower) and the College of Commerce buildings were protected as Grade B listed structures.

The Met Tower lay unused for several years and was dubbed "the ugliest building in the UK", in part due to its prominent location overlooking George Square being utilised to display a giant pink "People Make Glasgow". It was purchased by a commercial development company (Bruntwood), and as of 2023, and was initially intended to be converted as an office block for new technology start-ups. However, in May 2024 the plans were scrapped and the building was put back up for sale. It was acquired in August 2025 by Vita Group for an undisclosed sum, with the intention of converting it for residential use.

Schools

The College had four schools:

• School of Built Environment
• School of Communication and Media
• School of Design
• School of Food, Hospitality, Sport and Tourism

Notable former students

• Martin Docherty-Hughes, Member of Parliament.

References

References

1. "Glasgow Metropolitan College: College History".
2. [http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image.php?inum=TGSA00970&add=99&t=2&PHPSESSID=73110930d7bd6dc32b TheGlasgowStory: College of Building and Printing]
3. [http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/education/display.var.2300586.0.Glasgow_set_for_supercampus.php Glasgow Set For Supercampus (from The Herald )] {{webarchive. link. (2008-05-31)
4. (16 April 2023). "Met Tower in Glasgow defies 'ugliest building' label". Herald.
5. (5 April 2022). "'People Make Glasgow' Met Tower bought for £16m as transformation plans unveiled".
6. (2025-08-07). "'People Make Glasgow' tower to be turned into flats". BBC News.
7. Hannah, Martin. (4 June 2015). "Meet your new Scottish MPs: #19 Martin Docherty West Dunbartonshire". [[The National (Scotland).