Pearce Institute

The Pearce Institute is a beautiful Category 'A' listed community facility, designed by Sir Rowand Anderson and completed in 1906.

  • Building facade detail
  • The Pearce Institute in Govan has been restored
  • The Pearce Institute has been restored to its former glory

Lead Partner: Glasgow City Council, Central Govan Action Plan/Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative

Other Partners: Govan Workspace, Govan Housing Association, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency, Govan Community Council, Govan and Linthouse Church, and Greater Glasgow & Clyde NHS Trust

Project Team: Page & Park Architects, Gardner & Theobald LLP and Glasgow Building Preservation Trust

Website: 
www.pearceinstitute.org.uk

Project History
Click an image to enlarge

  • Scaffolding in place to aid the roof repairs
  • Roof repairs commence
  • Scaffolding covers the Pearce Institute
  • Scaffolding covers the Pearce Institute
  • The Pearce Institute has been restored to its former glory
  • D361 Pearce Institute_18025 ET10

Location:

Greater Govan & Glasgow Harbour, Govan

Description:

The Institute was gifted to the people of Govan by Lady Pearce in memory of her husband, Sir William Pearce, former owner of the Fairfield Shipyards and Govan's first MP.  Over 40 third sector organisations are based within the building, all sharing the common aim of meeting the needs of the people of Govan.

The Pearce Institue offers a wide range of space including the Mary Barbour Conference Suite, Lithgow Theatre and Macleod Hall for meetings, conferences, cultural events and social occasions.

A programme of phased restoration work is being carried out with £5.5 million committed to date. This includes work to completely restore the roof and carry out repairs to stonework, as part of the Central Govan Action Plan and Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative framework. The completed work also includes internal repairs and restoration work. Funders include Glasgow City Council, Heritage Lottery, Historic Scotland, Govan and Craigton Community Planning Partnership and Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Reorganisation of the Pearce Institute's governance structure was completed in December 2009, with ownership of the building being transferred to a newly formed company limited by guarantee recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).  The new structure was established under a partnership model, with directors being appointed from Govan Workspace, Govan Housing Association, Glasgow City Council, Glasgow South West Regeneration Agency, Central Govan Community Council and Govan and Linthouse Church.

Current status:

The current phase of refurbishment is now complete. Major roof repairs have been carried out as well as work to external stone work and internal repair and restoration.

The famous ship sculpture has been repaired and replaced on the roof.

 

Timescale:

2010 - 2012

Cost:

£5.5m