Glasgow has developed quite the reputation for tearing down beautiful buildings down the years, but few examples are quite as hard to fathom as the demolition of the old Lyric Theatre.
Controversially destroyed in the early 1960s for the brutalist St Andrew House office block, the magnificent building formed part of Glasgow's once bustling 'theatre corner' at the eastern end of Sauchiehall Street.
Back in the day the Lyric, which was situated on the corner of Renfield Street, had the likes of the Pavilion, the Glasgow Empire and the Theatre Royal as close company, with the cinema and ballroom that was Green's Playhouse thrown in for good measure.
Established in 1879 as The Royalty Theatre, the Parisian-influenced venue was notable as one of the first theatre designs by the celebrated architect Frank Matcham and staged everything from professional plays and operas to music hall comedy and amateur dramatics.
During the First World War, the building was purchased by the Glasgow United YMCA, who converted the upper floors into a hostel for sailors and soldiers. The venue was rebranded as the Lyric and began showing a mixture of film and theatre.
Described by one newspaper as Britain's "most comfortable and luxurious" theatre, the 900-capacity Lyric was also home to the Glasgow Repertory Company, with the venue responsible for encouraging the emergence of many future stage greats.
In May 1953 disaster struck when a blaze, believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette, ripped through the auditorium. Only the courage of the fire services prevented the flames from spreading to adjoining buildings.
A relief fund was set up to repair the damaged building, which reopened three years later at a cost of more than £100,000. In a move that was deeply unpopular at the time, the owners banned patrons from smoking during performances.
Unfortunately, the costly restoration would prove to be the Lyric's downfall. In 1960 - less than four years since its phoenix-like revival - the historic theatre was sold off and a redevelopment proposal drawn up for the site.
Despite protests from groups such as the Scottish Community Drama Association, the Lyric was razed to the ground in 1961, with the 22-storey shopping centre and office block St Andrew house (now Premier Inn) rising from the rubble.
