Kinning Park Co-operative Society (Former), 12-20, Coburg Street, Laurieston

4-storey 9-bay simple classical former Co-Operative drapery warehouse. Predominantly granite to ground floor and red sandstone ashlar to upper floors of principal elevation, red brick to other elevations. Base course, cill courses, eaves cornice, stepped stylised parapet. Canted oriels to outer bays. Predominantly plate glass timber sash and case windows. INTERIOR: ground floor has large cast-iron columns with composite-inspired capitals with floral motifs.

This simple building lies in a wider area which has changed dramatically within the last 50 years. The block comprising Coburg Street, Oxford Street, Bridge Street and Norfolk Street is one of the few remaining blocks which has its near-original footprint. 12-20 Coburg Street's interest lies in its contribution to Glasgow's retail history. The entire block was packed with drapery warehouses in the early 20th century and now few reminders of that concentration of the industry remain. The Post Office Directory for 1910-11 notes that there were drapers, hatters, tailors, and hosiers in the immediate area, as well as a blouse specialist, boot factory and cap maker. The Kinning Park Co-operative Society's registered office was at 12 Coburg Street in 1910-11.

The Kinning Park Co-operative Society had three buildings in the block of which 12-20 Coburg Street and 61 Bridge Street survive . The first and main warehouse immediately to the north of 61 Bridge Street has been demolished. It is likely that all these buildings were linked at one time. 12-20 Coburg Street formed the first addition to the main warehouse in 1910 (Bruce & Hay's plans are dated 8th April 1909) in 1935. (Historic Scotland)

November 2007: From external inspection, the building appears to be vacant, with the exception of the ground floor. The upper floor windows are in need of maintenance: the frames are in poor condition and some of the glazing panes are cracked. The building's owner hopes to convert the building into flats in the future.

November 2010: External inspection finds the building remains disused above the ground floor. Outwardly, it is in much the same condition as on our previous visit.

14 August 2013: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit, vegetation growth continues to upper levels/ string course, some windows are open. Risk level moved to Moderate.

25 October 2013: Local planners advise the building remains in much the same condition as previously. The ground floor remains in partial use.

10 February 2023: External inspection finds the building to have slightly deteriorated since the last inspection. This is largely due to the more pronounce presence of damp on the front elevation and the structural bracing to the front and rear elevations. Some windows have been boarded up and plant growth remains, however this is no more widespread than the last inspection. The chimney stack has been reduced in height and this work, alongside the bracing, indicates recent maintenance/intervention. The ground floor continues to be occupied.
Access to the rear was not possible and there were limited vantage points to inspect the condition of the roof.