Located in the atmospheric vaults below Glasgow Central Station, Alston Bar & Beef is a restaurant that specialises in locally produced prime Scottish steak, complemented by a bar specialising in fine and specialist gins.
Following on from successesat other restaurants including aqua shard in London, Jestico + Whiles was responsible for the full branding and visual identity of the restaurant including the interior design and graphics.
This 80-cover bar and restaurant occupies a set of forgotten arches in the vaults below Glasgow’s Central Station and is so named after Alston Street, the main thoroughfare of Glasgow’s mysterious, elapsed Grahamston Village. The village stood at the crossroads of the main north-south and east-west axes of Glasgow and was built over in the 1800s to create the current station.
The category-A listed vaults below the existing station concourse were previously forgotten, only used occasionally for retail storage. The principle challenge for the design was to draw the passing pedestrian traffic down into these intriguing subterranean spaces, held together by a series of tunnels and passageways.
Key architectural interventions in the scheme include the creation of a new feature staircase. In addition, the existing basalt storage vaults - which are held together by a series of tunnels and passageways - have been joined to new structural openings and windows, creating carefully framed views between the bar and restaurantand into the bustling kitchens.
The design of Alston Bar & Beef draws on the rugged history of the station, along with the wider context of Scotland to create a calming refuge that is full oblique references and layers of interest.
Visitors are met by a soaring mural of over scaled native Scottish wildlife: magpies and hawk moths, playing against a backdrop of huge thistles in a calming dream sequence. These interlayered illustrations produced by local artist Timorous Beasties define a route down into the previously derelict under croft of the 17thcentury station.
On descending to the foot of an industrial, blued steel staircase, a zinc framed window and pass reveals glimpses into the kitchen, the heart of the restaurant. Three cast glass pendants made of old railway electrical isolators define the division between the kitchen and front of house service. Beyond the kitchen, the subterranean setting of muscular brick arches and oxidised steel bracing of the robust, honest and workmanlike railway architecture has been enhanced by contrasting it with the careful placement of new elements. A clean, white marble bar and sparkling chandeliers made from crystal decanters sparkle in the twilight. Leather banquettes of teal and petrol coloured leather alongside a powerful star pattern mosaic characterise our modern interpretation of traditional brassiere motifs.
The unique space created features a dramatic interior environment and distinctive ambiance. Rich historic layers of the city are integrated as well as contemporary elements being added, creating a brand new venue that is efficient, innovative and highly atmospheric.
The design signifies the timeless beauty of craftsmanship and impeccable detailing; a juxtaposition between the old and the new, where history merges with contemporary style presenting a stirring new spatial experience.
The restaurant opened in May 2014, along with its sister café above it on the ground floor,Gordon St. Coffee, also designed by Jestico + Whiles.
