Basic Biographical Details Name: | Balfour & Stewart | Designation: | | Born: | 1919 | Died: | 1940 | Bio Notes: | Andrew Balfour was born in 1863, the son of Thomas Balfour, baker, Glasgow and Mary Campbell, daughter of John Campbell, Dunoon, from whose family he was to acquire useful connections. He was educated at the Free Church Normal College and in October 1877 was articled to James Boucher, who was then working in partnership with Henry Higgins as Boucher & Higgins, with whom Balfour remained for five years. There he obtained a free studentship to Glasgow School of Art and studied at Anderson's College, winning various prizes including the National Bronze Medal and spent several months studying metalwork design. At the end of his apprenticeship, c.1882 he spent several months in metalwork design and construction, then entered the office of John Burnet and Son and subsequently that of Campbell Douglas & Sellars. In both these offices he described himself as being engaged on 'well known competitions'. In 1886 he left Campbell Douglas & Sellars to form a partnership with Henry (Harry) Bell Wesley Steele, eleven years his senior and the son of James Steele plasterer, and Ann Donaldson. The practice made its name by winning the competition for Largs Parish Church in 1889, and some time thereafter Balfour travelled in Italy sketching in Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, and, later, southern France. Very little is known of Steele who died at Hawthorne Villa, Hunters Quay (usual residence The Quinta, Bridge of Weir): Alexander Wright and other Glasgow architects regarded Balfour as the designer in the firm and the sub-Burnetian character of the work of the practice appears to bear that out. Balfour was admitted FRIBA on 11 June 1906, his proposers being John James Burnet, John Keppie, and C J MacLean.
In 1919 Balfour took into partnership William Fraser Tytler Stewart, who had a family connection with the Bank of Scotland. Stewart was born on 13 November 1885 and apprenticed to J M Crawford of Glasgow and Dumbarton, 1900-05 studying at the Royal Technical College and Glasgow School of Art. Thereafter he spent time in various unspecified offices until 1911 when he emigrated to Vancouver to become a partner in the firm of Doctor, Stewart & Davie. He remained there until 1915 when war service interrupted his career. After the war he returned to Scotland and formed the partnership with Balfour. He was subsequently elected Fellow of the Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, and was architect to the Vale of Leven District Council, Henry Brock Memorial Hospital, and to the Victoria Infirmary, Helensburgh.
In the 1920s and 1930s Balfour & Stewart did a considerable amount of work for the Bank of Scotland, Stewart's Canadian experience being reflected in the design of the Bank of Scotland at 93 St Vincent Street. Stewart was elected FRIBA in 1931, his proposers being Andrew Balfour, William Brown Whitie and David Salmond.
Stewart died on 32 January 1940, Balfour on 2 November 1948 at Restrevor, Bridge of Weir. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Hood Frew. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 110, Mains Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1919 | After 1924 | Subsequently known as 110 Blythswood Street | | 110, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1930 | 1940 | Formerly known as 110 Mains Street |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Bearsden Branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Hillhead branch | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Milngavie Branch | Milngavie | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Pollokshields Branch | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, St Vincent Place and George Square | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations | | After 1919 | House for Thomas Gilchrist | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Masonic Temple | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Office and warehouse building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Ground floor rebuilt for Bank of Scotland | | After 1919 | Parish Council Chambers | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | After 1919 | Taymouth Castle | Taymouth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Conversion of castle to Castle Hydro Hotel | | After 1919 | Trinity UF Church, memorial halls | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1924 | 78-82 Union Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New ground floor | | 1924 | Bank of Scotland Chambers, St Vincent Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1929 | National Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street Branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New building on same site | | 1930 | Bank of Scotland, Crosshill | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1930 | Rutherglen Academy, Burnside School, Infant and Junior Department | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | 'by Mr Stewart' - perhaps this Stewart | | 1931 | Douglas House | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1931 | Gymnasium NCOT | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1931 | National Bank of Scotland | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1932 | Bank of Scotland | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extensive alterations | | 1932 | Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1932 | Offices for the Clyde Steamship Co Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1933 | Dow's warehouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1933 | Henry Brock Hospital | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Reconstruction and extensions | | 1935 | Presbyterian Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1936 | Premises of Thomas McNeill Ltd | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1939 | Johnstone Academy | Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Extensions | | 1939 | Victoria Infirmary | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Dwelling house for nursing staff and conversion of part of main building |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 2 February 1940 | | | Obituary of Stewart | | Glasgow Herald | 3 November 1948 | | | Obituary of Balfour |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v16 p148 no1091 (microfilm reel 11) (Balfour); L no3479 (box 15); F no2906 (box 14) (Stewart) |
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