User:Icecreamsandwichlove/Ca d'Oro Building

Lead
This building was based on the design of the 15th century Palazzo Santa Sofia palace, nicknamed "Golden House" in both Venice and Glasgow. The property is centrally located in the intersection of Gordon Street and Union Street, with the area of 47,397 square feet. The construction has shops on the first floor, and offices above that are occupied by a multiple companies.

History
The property was originally built as a furniture warehouse in 1872. Then in 1927, with the opening a restaurant, the building became known as Ca D'Oro. When the restaurant operating, it was known for reunions and gatherings of the city's elites. It had a a collection of dining, smoking and concert spaces to appeal to corporate and recreational events.

In 1930, a ballroom was added to the top floor. In 1987, the development was destroyed by a fire, with only the cast iron frame surviving. After being redeveloped by Scott Brownrigg & Turner, it became a mix-use property with expanded retail space with offices above. The Cooperative Insurance Society spent around £5m on redevelopment, creating space for shopping and working. In 1990, the property won a Diploma of Excellence from the Scottish Civic Trust. In 2013, it was refurbished for £1.6m by Knight Frank, and sold again for £14.1m in 2016.

Description
The building was mostly made out of cast-iron, with cladding from blonde sandstone to carve the frieze. The building was built with large Gothic masonry arches and finials, reminiscent of the Renaissance buildings in Venice.



Venetian Influence
Because travel was becoming increasingly easier, the population of students from Scotland in Venice expanded in early 17th century. Therefore, Venetian glass workers brought their knowledge and technique to Scotland starting in 1612. Tourism between the two countries trended higher in the 18th century, and continued increasing since then. Scottish scholars that identified with Catholicism studied Venetian architecture, relating churches from late 17th century in Edinburg to those in Venice. Throughout the 18th century, the most popular Scottish architects visited Venice for inspiration and used Italian themes in their work .The upsurge in travel of information and ideas, as well as the similar coastal climate between the two cities inspired the the construction of Ca D'Oro.