Designating Fairfield Annexe at the former Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Works, Govan, Glasgow

Closes 21 Apr 2025

Opened 31 Mar 2025

Overview

We are proposing to designate the Fairfield Annexe as a listed building at category C.

The Annexe was built in 1956-57 as the Technical Offices of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., who were once one of the largest and most significant shipbuilding firms in the world. Although the shipyard remains in use, the Annexe has been vacant since 2003.

Fairfield Annexe was designed by the renowned Glasgow-based firm of Frank Burnet and Boston and was built in a distinctive Modernist style that was popular during the mid 20th century. Its stripped-back and streamline design sharply contrasts with the rich and ornate style of the adjoining Victorian building, which is listed at category A (ref: LB33356) and represents one of the finest examples of a shipbuilder’s headquarters anywhere in the UK. Despite the contrasting styles, great care was taken to ensure that the design of the Annexe complemented the earlier building in terms of its materials, scale and massing.

Fairfield Annexe is a rare example of a notable structure that was built for the shipbuilding industry during the post-war period. Its high standard of design reflects the company’s ambition to make Fairfield the most modern and technically advanced shipyard and engine works in the UK. Together with the associated Engine Works (ref: LB33357) and headquarters building (both listed category A), the buildings present a grand frontage to the shipyard on Govan Road. They form an outstanding architectural and historical group, which represents the core elements of what was an internationally significant shipbuilding yard and contributes to the maritime heritage of Govan and Clydeside.

We are now gathering views on our proposal to list this building at category C.

Read more about why we think Fairfield Annexe meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

 Photograph of Fairfield Annexe showing stairtower and main entrance  

Main (south) elevation of Fairfield Annexe © HES

How we designate listed buildings

We list buildings of special architectural or historic interest. A dedicated team researches and assesses all designation applications.

Why your views matter

We’d love to know whether you agree with our proposal.

To help you respond to the following survey, please read why we think Fairfield Annexe meets the criteria for listing by downloading our Report of Handling.

You can tell us if you agree with our proposal by completing the short questionnaire below.

This questionnaire usually takes 5-10 minutes to complete.

Find out what comments we consider and what happens next in our consultation guide or watch our designations video on YouTube.

You can also watch a version of this video in British Sign Language.

 

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