Former Municipal Buildings, Kildonan Street, Coatbridge: Historic Building Recording Report

AOC Archaeology Group was commissioned to undertake an historic building recording survey of the former Municipal Building and Police Chambers located at Kildonan Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, on behalf of the North Lanarkshire Council to satisfy a planning condition on new development. The development will see the conversion of the four-story late 19th century building into 43 residential units and office space, including the partial demolition of the former Police Chambers with the façade being retained. The western and south wings will be extended and a rooftop extension will be added to the north wing. Finally, there will be resident's amenity space. An Enhanced historic building recording survey was required of the pre-1990s buildings, based on ALGAO (2013) nationally recognised guidelines. This level of survey requires a photographic, written and drawn record preceded by an element of archive research to place the findings in context and aid the phasing, general history and development of the building. A Basic historic building recording survey was required of the 1990s wing, based on ALGAO (2013) nationally recognised guidelines. This level of survey requires a photographic, written and drawn (plan) record. The former Municipal Buildings in Coatbridge were constructed on a vacant plot of land to the east of the town in the early 1890s, designed by architect Alexander McGregor Mitchell. It was built in a U-shape with a north wing (the town hall and assembly rooms), a west wing (former municipal buildings), and a south wing (the former police chambers). Built in a renaissance style in good quality red ashlar, the building soon became a prominent structure in the town's landscape and was a hub of social and community activity throughout the early 20th century. A devastating fire in 1967 gutted the north wing and it was soon demolished, the site laying empty until the early 1990s, when a large development initiative rebuilt the north wing in red brick. This also relaced the front façade at Dunbeth Road in red sandstone in an identical style to the southern bays, reflecting its original character. The original town hall entrance was not rebuilt, however, in favour of a large glass-fronted entrance at Kildonan Road in the new wing. Despite the major renovations of the 1990s, much of the original layout and principal fixtures and fittings survived, such as original cornices, ceiling roses, door surrounds and doors, timber floorboards, cast iron radiators and fireplace surrounds. The first floor principal rooms have also retained their original decorative ceilings and the former chapel in particular has very fine detail with a carved timber surround to a former fireplace and stained glass windows.