The Hidden Glasgow Forums

Wow, it sounds beautiful. I love reading about Picard too, what a character.

As for the G1 Clubs, I have to say the G1 Group flitted through my mind briefly and with horror too, but I'm sure it's unconnected.. ;p

I only just noticed this building last night coming home from Gartnavel and I was wondering what it was myself.

So thanks for all the info.

Dexter St. Clair wrote:He kept his motors there and where else would one live apart from the West End?

The Sowthsyde.

City Kitty wrote:Wow, it sounds beautiful. I love reading about Picard too, what a character.

As for the G1 Clubs, I have to say the G1 Group flitted through my mind briefly and with horror too, but I'm sure it's unconnected.. ;p

It is unconnected.

Socceroo wrote:

Dexter St. Clair wrote:He kept his motors there and where else would one live apart from the West End?

The Sowthsyde.

I don't know, he sounds like a West End kind of a guy to me.

Whichever enigmatic figure owns this property, he/she is an arsehole for allowing its decay.

Hello all. Lurked on this site for a while, never posted....

I lived in (part of) this building between 1997 and 1999. It was owned by the Hives family who at the time rented out some rooms in the bottom two floors, while they occupied the top floors. They were from up north (Inverness?) and they used to run shows, carnival-rides, etc. Strange bunch.

They also owned loads of other property round Glasgow and rented these out. I ended up buying my flat from them. I used to bump into them occasionally when I stayed in the west end. Not seen them for years now....

Oh that's interesting, thank you.

The Hives family were involved in a recent property dispute.

I was told that I spent many hours in 998 Gt. Western Road as an infant. My parents know the place inside out and could describe just about every aspect of the house. Bizarre that I can't remember it at, although I've always maintained a fascination about it more than any other property in the west end.

Apparently the showpeople who owned the house in the 50s & 60s used to put placards in the driveway saying "Good morning, Andrew" and "get some milk". Bizarre.

Anyone know what exactly happened to the conservatory?

The property at 998 Great Western Road is owned by J G Hives Ltd, who have consent for a nightclub, and it is undergoing total up-grading. There are plans to open a members-only club and wedding center. However, due to listing up-grading work has been slow.
J Hives has lots of other buildings throughout Scotland. Number 998 would be in good order if people would stop removing lead from the roof!! And, unlike other listed buildings, it never gets grants to do it up. Also people removing railings for scrap do a lot of damage. However, there is now a full time caretaker at the property.
J Hives only paid £27,0000 for it, and just turned down £3million for it, and for anyone's information, the building is in use, as you will see by the large trucks and vans parked outside. It is not in a state of disrepair inside - it just had £90,0000 spent on upgrading the security, including alarms, PIR's, etc.

weird response yet useful

Sold:

on 20/12/2007 to J George Hives Limited for £125,000 (commercial)

on 19/10/2007 to J Hives Limited for £125,000 (residential)

Hello all.

I found the HG site some months ago and it has been an absolute joy. Lurked daily but never posted.

That's the Mungo Club, as was. I went regularly in the mid to late 70s. It used to run weirdly sedate Friday night disco dances populated by boys from St Aloysius and St Mungos who were very interested in the girls from Garnethill and Notre Dame, who weren't interested in them. Or so they said.

But there was a bar, and that was the main thing.

The interiors were stunningly elegant, which added not a little to the strangeness of having a ruck of spotty, drunk, testosterone-fuelled teenage boys trying to bag off with the demure young Gels.

It is/was a truly beautiful building, both inside and out.

Fascinating to read of Mr Pickard. There is surely a book in there.

demure young Gels

I take it you never went out with any of them.

I stepped out with a couple of them, yes.

But it all came to naught.

Further than that it would be ungallant to go.

The Mungo Club was a weird experience, but a refreshing change from the Savoy or the White Elephant.

And as I say, the interiors were jaw-dropping.