Glasgow townhouse 'most viewed' property after Robbie Williams' mansion

An A-listed townhouse in one of Glasgow's most desirable areas was the UK's second most viewed property online last month, pipped to the top spot by a mansion owned by pop star Robbie Williams.

The six-bedroom house in Dowanhill features on the Scottish monuments list and was re-designed in 1900, 30 years after its original construction. 

Designed by renowned architect James Thomson and originally constructed in 1870, 1 Princes Terrace is described as a "simply outstanding" and architecturally unique end of terrace townhouse, with 15 rooms set over four levels.

It could also prove popular with celebrities keen to fly under the radar in the city's west end.

The rear elevation of the property is said to benefit from "superb levels of privacy" because it faced directly towards south-facing resident's gardens.

READ MORE: Bridge Street, Cambuslang: affordable houses completed outside Glasgow

It features ornately leaded, stained-glass windows and a spectacular entrance doorway "which simply has to be seen in person".

James Morrice, a local starch producer bought the house in 1895 and its interior was redesigned and renovated in 1900 for Henderson of Henderson & Co, one of Glasgow's leading shipping magnets.  

The upgrade included an intricate stained glass front door, possibly in imitation of German artist and printmaker Henri Goltzias and an elaborately panelled and inlaid entrance hall. 

Italianate panelling was added to the formal dining room as well as  timber panelled ceilings, elaborate parquet flooring and a marble chimney piece. 

The drawing room on the first floor features elaborate deep plasterwork frieze, geometrically detailed ceiling and a complex parquet floor.  

The property has been modernised to offer an "extremely comfortable family living space".

The lower level includes a games room, wine cellar and large laundry room which retains the original manual washing machine, wringer and twin belfast sinks and gardener's WC.

Guests can expect a very warm welcome - the grand reception hallway includes a woodburning stove and the main bathroom features a centred roll top bath with fireplace.

The property is being marketed by Clyde Property, which described it as a, "Truly unique character home which is ’A’ listed and features on the Scottish monuments list."

James Thomson was born in Glasgow, the son of builder Hugh Thomson.

He trained with James Brown (1813-78), and later worked as a draughtsman for John Baird I, from 1848-56, when he became a partner, as Baird & Thomson.

READ MORE: Homes for sale: Four-bedroom house available in Newton Mearns

During this time he worked on one of the most important buildings of the age in Glasgow, the revolutionary, cast-iron Gardners Warehouse at 36 Jamaica Street.

The practice became one of the largest and most successful in the city, producing houses, terraces, commercial buildings, schools, churches and monuments for cemeteries.

According to Gary Nisbet of the Glasgow City of Sculpture website, Thomson's earlier work was predominently in the Italian Renaissance style for commercial and domestic buildings, and Gothic for his churches.

In 1896, Thomson was presented with his portrait as a testimonial to his long service to the architectural profession in Glasgow. During his acceptance speech, he is said to have revealed that his career and life had very nearly been cut short a year after starting his apprenticeship, when he narrowly avoided being a victim of the Theatre Royal disaster on 17 February 1849, when a false alarm led to the crushing to death of many of its audience who stampeded for the theatre's exit.

Having a ticket for that evening's performance, he cancelled his visit due to work commitments.

He died at his home at 20 Lyndoch Street, and was buried in the Necropolis. 

When the Princes Terrace townhouse was last sold, it was marketed at offers over £449,000 but is now listed over £1,500,000.

The town house achieved the second highest number of online views last month on property website Rightmove, with the home of Robbie Williams attracting the highest 'click' count. A spokesman for the website said both properties attracted in the region of 30,000 views.

His seven-bedroom period home in Compton Bassett,Wiltshire surrounded by 70 acres of land and includes a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gym, tennis courts and gardens. It is being marketed at offers over £6,750,000.

Approached via a sweeping drive through attractive parkland, Compton Bassett House is described as "an exceptional country house nestled within its own land".

The mansion includes four reception rooms, a master bedroom suite, two children's bedroom suites and four additional bedroom suites with sitting rooms.

The leisure complex is of an "exceptional standard" with a gym, indoor swimming pool extending to over 73ft in length, hot tub, steam room, sauna and changing rooms.

Ancillary accommodation comprises two staff flats and a detached cottage and the grounds also include a helicopter hangar and workshop.

The 71.55acre gardens and grounds include a walled garden with pavilion, water feature and tennis court and grass football pitch.

On putting the home up for sale, Robbie and his wife Ayda said: “Compton Bassett House is most definitely a family friendly house that deserves to have much more laughter and joy within its beautiful walls.

"We hope the incoming purchaser will enjoy just as much as we have.”