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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2110, Mains Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1919After 1924Subsequently known as 110 Blythswood Street
Item 2 of 2110, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 19301940Formerly known as 110 Mains Street

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Kenneth Finlayson Masson (or Kenneth T Masson or erroneously Manson)19181923Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Andrew Balfour19191940Partner 
Item 3 of 4William Fraser Tytler Stewart19191940Partner 
Item 4 of 4Hugh RossNovember 1928March 1934Apprentice 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 28After 1919Bank of Scotland, Bearsden Branch  GlasgowScotland 
Item 2 of 28After 1919Bank of Scotland, Hillhead branchHillhead GlasgowScotland 
Item 3 of 28After 1919Bank of Scotland, Milngavie BranchMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 4 of 28After 1919Bank of Scotland, Pollokshields BranchPollokshields GlasgowScotland 
Item 5 of 28After 1919Bank of Scotland, St Vincent Place and George Square  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 6 of 28After 1919House for Thomas GilchristGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 7 of 28After 1919Masonic TempleClydebank DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 8 of 28After 1919Office and warehouse building  GlasgowScotlandGround floor rebuilt for Bank of Scotland
Item 9 of 28After 1919Parish Council ChambersAlexandria DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 10 of 28After 1919Taymouth CastleTaymouth PerthshireScotlandConversion of castle to Castle Hydro Hotel
Item 11 of 28After 1919Trinity UF Church, memorial hallsGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 12 of 28192478-82 Union Street  GlasgowScotlandNew ground floor
Item 13 of 281924Bank of Scotland Chambers, St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 14 of 28After 1929National Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street Branch  GlasgowScotlandNew building on same site
Item 15 of 281930Bank of Scotland, Crosshill  GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 281930Rutherglen Academy, Burnside School, Infant and Junior DepartmentRutherglen LanarkshireScotland'by Mr Stewart' - perhaps this Stewart
Item 17 of 281931Douglas HouseJordanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 18 of 281931Gymnasium NCOT  GlasgowScotland 
Item 19 of 281931National Bank of ScotlandSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 20 of 281932Bank of Scotland  GlasgowScotlandExtensive alterations
Item 21 of 281932Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds  GlasgowScotland 
Item 22 of 281932Offices for the Clyde Steamship Co Ltd  GlasgowScotland 
Item 23 of 281933Dow's warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 24 of 281933Henry Brock HospitalAlexandria DunbartonshireScotlandReconstruction and extensions
Item 25 of 281935Presbyterian ChurchPaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 26 of 281936Premises of Thomas McNeill LtdGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 27 of 281939Johnstone AcademyJohnstone RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions
Item 28 of 281939Victoria InfirmaryHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandDwelling house for nursing staff and conversion of part of main building

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder2 February 1940  Obituary of Stewart
Item 2 of 2Glasgow Herald3 November 1948  Obituary of Balfour

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v16 p148 no1091 (microfilm reel 11) (Balfour); L no3479 (box 15); F no2906 (box 14) (Stewart)