Princes Square, Glasgow

James Campbell was knighted by Queen Victoria. James later became Lord Provost of Glasgow. James owned Princes Square, a four-story yellow sandstone building covering a market square. James named the square Princes Square to honor the then Prince of Wales. Time marches on. James is not universally remembered today, but the square is renowned.

In 1986 the Hugh Martin Partnership made a great redo of the Square. It is now five stories enclosing the 112,500 square foot cobbled square of 1841. The entire square is sheltered by a clear glass vaulted domed roof. Atop the roof is the Princes Square icon, a metal sculpture of a peacock in full display.

The sandstone facades are now inside the square. Staircases and galleries provide ways to the upper stories. The remade square has been described as "one of the most intelligent pieces of urban renewal."

Located on Buchanan Street, Princes Square is an oasis of high-end specialty shops. It is definitely a boutique heaven. There is no shortage of hip restaurants and bars and even an art cinema.

The square has won several prestigious awards for architecture and design. In 2016 it was voted Scotland's best building of the last 100 years. James would have been proud.