It was sited in Laurieston on the south side of the River Clyde, but was close to the centre of Glasgow.

The Caledonian Railway's main line from London, via Carstairs, which opened to Edinburgh on 15 February 1848 and to Glasgow on 1 November 1849 remained on the north-side of the Clyde, at Buchanan Street, eventually moving to Glasgow Central station (see below).

[6] Bridge Street however remained the terminus, for the time being, for the Glasgow, Paisley and Greenock Railway; which had two dedicated bay platforms on the west side.

[6] Between 1901 and 1905 Glasgow Central Station was refurbished and extended over the top of Argyle Street; and thirteen platforms were built.

[7] Signal installation commenced in October 1907; the west side was commissioned on 5 April 1908 and the remainder on 3 May 1908.

[2] The booking hall, which fronted Bridge Street, had an elaborate Doric portico flanked by two projecting end pavilions.

[2] There was additional access directly to the station platforms from the side entrance facing the quayside at Clyde Place.

The main block, fronting Bridge Street, was designed by James Miller[9] in early French Renaissance style.

These side entrances are still in use as access to apartments following the redevelopment of the upper levels of the block for residential use in 1994.