1. Dated 1909. Designed by Glendinning Moxham, architect of Swansea. Edwardian Baroque. Low and wide symmetrical composition with advanced, pedimented end pavilions, elaborate Baroque doorpiece to plain centre. Red brick, ashlar dressings (banded to angles). 2-storey ends with rusticated pilasters and Corinthian columns in antis supporting entablature of dentilled pediments; recessed tripartite windows (paired in centre) with small-pane glazing, swagged heraldic shields over ground floor, cills dropped through rusticated plinth. Uniform 5-bay centre with pitched glazed roof behind blocking-course with bold dentilled cornice. Frieze inscribed "MDCCCCIX". Architraved cross-windows with keyblocks linked to cornices and aprons, small-pane glazing. Doorcase with open and broken pediment, florid cartouche with cherubs, keyblock to round-arched entrance, blocked columns with triglyph frieze to doorpiece. Low area walls swept up, steps to double panelled door. Modern extension (1974) to left is not of special interest.
(Source: Cadw Listings database) S Garfi 23/10/06

2. In 1974, a modern extension was built to the south-west of the 1911 elevation. From October 2011 to October 2016, extensive renovation work was carried out on this extension and the original 1911 gallery as well as addition building work, including new library, archival, conservation and exhibition spaces, a new shop and cafe area and a new community space and lecture theatre. The 1974 addition formerly presented a red-brick and glass first storey topped with a tall, advanced, rusticated, windowless concreate storey linked with the 1911 elevation by a glass and brick link. The new design consists of a recessed glass link with entrance leading to an elevation with a glass ground floor above which is a tall, advanced, windowless storey of coursed stone, the northern wall of which is angled so that it is wider at the top than bottom.

(Sources: Google Streetview, March 2011 and May 2018; Victoria Jones, `The re-opening date for Swansea's Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is revealed?, Wales Online, 25.8.2016; Huw Thomas, `Swansea's Glynn Vivian Art Gallery to open after renovation?, BBC.com, 14.10.2016; `Glyn Vivian Redevelopment Project?, Swansea Council Website)
A.N. Coward, RCAHMW, 07.11.2018