Glasgow is home to so many famous institutions and landmarks: The Duke of Wellington’s cone hat, the domes and towers of the majestic Kelvingrove Museum, the clock in Central Station and the sparkling Squinty Bridge.
But some landmarks are a little less in your face, like the eternally sophisticated Princes Square.
Accessed via a subtle entrance on Buchanan Street, visitors to Princes Square are transported to a glamorous, art nouveau-styled shopping centre which has been the hidden heart of Glasgow’s retail offering for more than 30 years.
Princes Square is tucked away in the city centre, and you can easily lose yourself – and lose a whole day – in there.
From starting your morning with coffee and pastries at Tinderbox followed by an indulgent, brightening facial at Dermalogica, to having a mooch around the many stores, enjoying live performances, tucking into amazing street food, and finishing your day with a trip to the flicks…there’s plenty to discover at Princes Square.
As one shopper explained: “There are good shops with a wide variety of items to choose from in a relaxing atmosphere, as well as nice places for dining and having a drink."
SOMEWHERE NEW
Not only is Princes Square a haven from the high street, it’s also home to a huge range of shops and restaurants you might not know even exist.
Princes Square has had something of a rebirth in recent months, with more and more retailers and eateries making their homes in the gorgeous space.
Designer trainer emporium Empire, which boasts exclusive brands like Yeezy and Jordans, is one of the newest stores, alongside shoe and accessory shop Carvela. Home to the most alluring heels, flats and handbags, it’s a must-visit anytime you’re in Princes Square.
Princes Square has always been a go-to spot for Glasgow fashionistas, and its reputation is well deserved.
Under the elegant glass ceiling, you’ll also discover Reiss, Ted Baker, Cos, Kate Spade, Kurt Geiger and French Connection to name a few. Then there are premium jewellers Dower & Hall, Diamond Heaven, Argento and Orkney designer Sheila Fleet.
And if you love a bit of pampering, you can’t go wrong in Princes Square. It’s home to luxury skincare brand Dermalogica, which opened its first standalone Scottish store here in June.
Being in the store is an experience in itself, with a dedicated zone for skin mapping, a decompression zone where you can relax before and after your session, and a cocooning treatment area where you can enjoy 30-minute treatments.
Choose to brighten, calm, clear or firm, or put on your freshest face with nano needling or a skin treatment tailored just for your needs.
Finally, there’s space to share your skincare goals with a Dermalogica expert and receive tailored advice and products that’ll get you glowing.
For the best in make-up and beauty, Space.NK Apothecary can be found on the first floor of the mall, with shelf after shelf of colourful beauty palettes, fabulous haircare and stunning fragrances, along with complimentary makeovers and demos of new colours and techniques.
Or, if beauty’s not your thing, there are beautiful gifts, homewares and fragrances to discover at The Pen Shop, Ayrshire-born artist Alexander Millar’s gallery shop, furniture designer Timothy Oulton, and Essence of Harris.
MORE THAN JUST SHOPS
Of course, it’s more than just a shopping centre. The architecture itself is something to behold, so it’s no wonder members of the public voted it Scotland’s Favourite Building of the past 100 years – not to mention the many awards it’s won from organisations like RIBA and the Scottish Civic Trust.
From the sweeping staircase and glass lifts to the lower courtyard events space, all the way up to the roof terrace with its glamorous bars at home under a domed glass ceiling, Princes Square certainly isn’t an ordinary, run-of-the-mill shopping mall.
That’s why street food collective and viral sensation Big Feed has taken up residence in the grassed-over courtyard at Princes Square.
Offering a fresh twist on classic street food dishes – like bao buns, pizzas, smashed Wagyu burgers, Korean buttermilk chicken, duck gyros and stacked salt and chilli fries – Big Feed Kitchen is bringing something new to Princes Square.
Jonathan Yvess of Big Feed Kitchen said: “This is a really exciting step for us and one we have been working on for a long time – the key to it all was finding the perfect venue.
"It’s a lovely place to bring the family – whether you’re on a day out shopping, going to the cinema or just enjoying our gorgeous city.”
There are loads of great options for drinking and dining in Princes Square, from great cocktails and eats at October, Barca and NY Bar & Grill, to a family meal at Zizzi’s or Il Pavone, or a treat from the Scottish-inspired menu at Cranachan.
One regular visitor commented: “I always eat at restaurants in Princes Square. I love the food and great atmosphere; I’d recommend it to everyone."
The atmosphere is down in part to a carefully curated range of events, like live musical theatre performances in summer and Christmas carols sung by local choirs during the holiday season.
There are also regular pop-up shops, with small businesses such as Insta-faves Isolated Heroes recently bringing their amazing ethical sequinned range to Princes Square, to great acclaim.
And let’s not forget Princes Square’s other hidden gem – the three-screen boutique Everyman Cinema, with its awesome programme of film releases and livestreamed events like opera and music concerts.
You can round off your day in Princes Square with a movie, and enjoy a glass of wine and freshly-made food brought direct to your seat, or get stuck into Spielburger, the cinema’s in-house bar and restaurant.
There’s so much to see, eat, do, and enjoy at Princes Square, whether you’re planning a full day’s shopping and socialising, or just nipping in for coffee and a catch-up.
Come and discover what Glasgow’s hidden gem has waiting for you…
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