Templeton’s Carpet Factory

This actually used to be a working carpet mill for what became one of the most famous manufacturers in the UK. James Templeton patented the Axminster process to make high quality carpets which were bought for many stately homes, castles, and luxury liners including the Titanic! The beautiful façade is part of an extension to the original factory and was designed by the Scottish architect, William Leiper, who was greatly influenced by the medieval Palazzo Ducale in Venice. The work began in 1888 and was finished in 1892. Unfortunately, there was a terrible accident in 1889 when part of a wall collapsed during high winds, which trapped over 100 women working in the weaving workshops at the rear. 29 were killed. (The story of the disaster was carved in the stone at the bottom of Templeton Gate during refurbishment in 2005) There were other extensions from 1920 – 1930, then in the 1960s, but, although not so ornate, they were carried out in as similar a way as possible.
A beautiful building, especially seen from the Glasgow Green side.