Luma Tower
| Luma Tower | |
|---|---|
 Luma Tower from Shieldhall Road. | |
| Former names | Luma Light Bulb Factory, Caravanland |
| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Residential |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Location | Linthouse, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 55°51′35.61″N 4°20′49.82″W / 55.8598917°N 4.3471722°W |
| Completed | 1938 |
| Owner | Linthouse Housing Association |
| Height | 25.6 metres (84 ft) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Cornelius Armour |
The Luma Tower is a residential building and former factory in the Greater Govan area of Glasgow, Scotland. It is famous as one of the best preserved examples of Art Deco architecture in the city. It has been protected as a category B listed building since 1988.[1]
History
Located in the western suburb of Linthouse, the building was constructed as a light bulb factory as a joint venture by a Swedish co-operative, and the British Luma Co-Operative Lamp company in 1938[2] , its distinctive feature is the protruding tower (resembling an airport control tower) which was originally used to test light bulbs beyond their design voltage for longevity. The building was part of the massive Sheildhall Manufacturing Complex that used to stand in the area, and its completion was also intended as a symbol of the Empire Exhibition of that year which was held in nearby Bellahouston Park.
Following the ending of light bulb manufacture, the building was sold and amongst other uses was used as a caravan showroom, before finally falling into dereliction in the 1980s.[3]
In 1993, a local housing association acquired the decaying building amid fears it would be demolished, and began the process of it restoring it and converted into affordable housing. In the end, forty-three new apartments were created, with a further twelve in a creative reproduction of the original building's style to the rear. The tower element is now illuminated with blue neon lighting and is a noticeable landmark around Govan, and it can be clearly seen from the westbound carriageway of the M8 motorway between Junctions 24 and 25.
References
- ↑ "Luma Tower: Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ↑ "The Luma Light Bulb Factory". www.theglasgowstory.com. Retrieved 2011-05-15.
- ↑ "The Luma Tower, enlightened once more!". Institute of Heritage Building Conservation. Retrieved 2011-05-16.