Mr Havergal presided over the historic city venue from 1969 to 2003, a period described as one of the “most celebrated” in the theatre’s history.
His passing “poignantly coincided” with the Citizens reopening on Saturday, August 23, following a seven-year closure.
Throughout his time as artistic director, Mr Havergal is said to have ensured the theatre became a “European creative powerhouse” alongside his co-directors Robert David MacDonald and Philip Prowse.
Dominic Hill, current artistic director of the Citizens, paid tribute to Mr Havergal and stated he was “sorry” that he would never get to see the newly restored theatre.
READ NEXT: Nine snaps from Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre reopening
Mr Hill went on to highlight that Mr Havergal’s legacy is “hard-wired into the fabric of the building” and his name will “always be associated with it”.
He said: “I was profoundly sorry to hear about the passing of Giles Havergal, all the more poignant in that it occurred on the same day we reopened the Citizens Theatre after seven years – a theatre that he worked tirelessly over more than 30 years to make internationally renowned.
“He always took great interest in how the theatre was faring and the work we were presenting, even after leaving Glasgow.
“I hugely enjoyed our chats over dinner and lapped up his stories as well as his immense wisdom and knowledge.
“We had been in touch earlier in the summer and he was looking forward to coming up to the opening of our first show Small Acts of Love, which he described as ‘the next step in a long journey for me…I first went to the Citz in 1953.’
“I am sorry that he will never see the newly restored theatre, but his legacy is hard-wired into the fabric of the building and his name will always be associated with it.”
Tributes have flooded in online for Mr Havergal, who has been described as “a visionary”.
One person said: “He was the blueprint for how all theatre leaders should act. Always welcoming and kind to all.
“A visionary, caring, and talented.”
READ NEXT: Beloved live music venue to close after more than a decade
A second added: “The Citz under the directorship of Giles H, Prowse, and MacDonald was such an important part of my young life in Glasgow.
“I saw productions in the main theatre and later in the studio. What an influence in my life.
“Sad news, but what a life.”
A third commented: “Giles Havergal was a kindly giant of a man who came to see me in school in Paisley in 1983.
“He gave us advice about becoming an actor and working in the business. He said keep on tryin, fail, and try again, but keep going.
“He was so right. Those formative years and his work at the Citz should never be forgotten.
“Passing of the greats.”
The Citizens Theatre had been closed since 2018. During that time, it underwent its first major refurbishment since 1878.
It officially reopened its doors on Saturday, August 23, after a multi-million pound makeover.
The transition carefully balances preservation of its Victorian heritage with modern upgrades that bring the space firmly into the 21st century.
To celebrate its reopening, a vibrant community procession was held in the Gorbals with local residents and Citizens Theatre participatory groups leading the way.
A programme of special events will also take place between August 28 and September 5.