Inside Templeton On The Green - Take a behind the scenes tour of iconic east end building

You'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in Glasgow that isn't familiar with Templeton on the Green.

Located in the city's east end, the building was built in 1890 and was once the unlikely location of a carpet factory. The iconic building's design was based off the Doge's Palace in Venice. And although a carpet factory might seem like an unlikely choice for such a resplendent building, its design was chosen after residents complained they didn't want a factory blighting the area.

Templeton is filled with plenty of hidden secrets - both old and new - and the building continues to be a hub for innovation.

We were fortunate enough to meet with Alex Mackay, a surveyor for Knight Frank - the company who lets the building - who gave us a guided tour and shared all of the building’s behind-the-scenes secrets.

The first stop on our tour is the company that Templeton is most famous for housing - the West Brewery.

West have been brewing beer for the people of Glasgow in the building since 2006, where the company also has a spectacular beer hall and one of the best beer gardens going in Glasgow.

The company is showing no signs of slowing down either, with a  second brewery opening in Templeton just two years ago as the beer's popularity only improves.

However, after chatting with head brewer Simon Roberts, it turns out taking on the challenge of building a brewery in a building like Templeton isn't easy.

In fact, his only advice? "Don't do it." 

Simon added: "Once we put in this proper production facility...steer clear of listed buildings. It's been an interesting challenge."

Alex also gave us a fascinating insight into the work that went on in Templeton back when it was a carpet factory. It may come as a surprise to some just how highly regarded the company was, with carpets commissioned for the first class lounges of the Titanic in 1912, Abraham Lincoln's wife for the White House and Queen Elizabeth herself! Not a bad role call at all...

Meanwhile, one of the newest additions to the building is Fore Digital - a creative agency with everything from podcast stations to filming rooms and more. Plus, it has one of the best views going, looking straight out onto the People's Palace.

Fore Digital leaped at the chance to have such an impressive office and brought with them an ambition to help transform the east end of the city into a major digital hub.

Clearly, there are no shortage of companies helping to keep Templeton on the Green as relevant and useful as ever. After all, she's not just a pretty face...

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