The name (a portmanteau of "Trades Town") reflected its role as a primarily dockland area with a large number of warehouses and wharves along the riverside were vessels would be unloaded.

Today, Tradeston has become increasingly gentrified, with the city centre's financial district now expanding over to the south bank, heralding the arrival of new office and residential developments.

A famous urban myth persists that it was one of the rejected designs for Glasgow City Chambers which was constructed on George Square so similar are the two buildings' basic appearance.

Tradeston's role as a hub for trade continued well into the late 20th century, as a large number of wholesaler (Cash and Carry) businesses continued to be located in the area, although some of these have gradually closed down or have opened as retailers to the general public as a higher residential population has now moved into the area.

[12][13] Tradeston was the site of another tragedy in 1872 when the Tradeston Flour Mills exploded killing 18 people who worked at the mills and people who worked or lived in surrounding buildings, and starting a fire that threatened Bridge Street railway station and ships docked on the River Clyde.