(1885-8, Alexander George Thomson)

This building is of great historic importance to the university as parts of it came from the seventeenth-century Old College. The original sections include the gateway facing University Avenue, the prominent cornice and the coats of arms. The lodge is composed of two main elements (the gateway and a circular stair turret which has a conical roof) and was erected here through the generosity of Sir William Pearce, hence the name. When built, the lodge was used as the naval architecture classroom.

Above the bulky archway are the words Hae ae des extrvctae svnt anno dom CICICCLVI ; this refers to the original erection of the gateway in 1656 and the two reversed `C`s in the date are due to a medieval system of writing Roman numerals. Above that is Charles II`s royal coat of arms bearing the phrases Hony soit qui mal y pense (`Evil be to him who evil thinks`) and Dieu et mon droit (`God and my right`). Beyond that is a sculpture showing a sword crossed with a mace together with CR2 (`Charles Rex II` (King Charles II)). Two carved urns flank the coat of arms, and near the roof is a plaque whose Latin inscription pays tribute to Pearce for bringing the gateway here. Other sculpted designs, including faces and crowns, appear over the windows.

The very prominent cornice also appears on the south side. There is also more sculpture here, including the university`s badge on the crow-stepped gable. At the back is a rather worn plaque bearing the university`s arms and a Latin inscription which came from an archway in the Old College. Above the windows are sculpted faces just as on the main facade.

This article is based on the guidebook "The Glasgow Guide".

This complex building contains a number of architectural features which were rescued from the Old College in High Street.