Basic Site Details

Name: Union Street and King Street and Union Bridge
City or county: Aberdeen
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes: Metal parapets on widened bridge with lion finials ('the Kelly cats'). The sculptor for William Kelly's work was Sidney Boyes of Gray's School of Art, and the ironfounder was William Wilson of Hay & Lyall. (According to Buildings of Scotland WAlter Macfarlane & Co were the founders.

In the Caledonian Mercury of 9 April 1801, contracts are advertised. It is stated that applcations should be made to David Forbes, carver & guilder, South Bridge, Edinburgh and David Hamilton, architect, Glasgow who can provide further information.

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 1Union Street ViaductYes 

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 2Street plan  
Item 2 of 2Bridge  

Street Addresses

The following street addresses are associated with this building:
 AddressMain entrance?Notes
Item 1 of 2King Street  
Item 2 of 2Union BridgeYes 

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 51801 Plans drawn up 
Item 2 of 5After 1801 Build/construction 
Item 3 of 51805 Plans drawn upPlan for symmetrical terraces ,stretching from North Street to Castle Street. Balustraded parapet ('gave the bridge its distinctive appearance') of bridge.
Item 4 of 519051908AdditionWidening
Item 5 of 5After 1907 AdditionRailings (or parapets)

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 10David Hamilton C1800 Won competition to design bridge and layout of two main streets - Union Street and King Street
Item 2 of 10John Chisholme Gc. 1800 Proposal for Union Bridge - single span
Item 3 of 10James Young F1801 Unexecuted design for bridge
Item 4 of 10Thomas Fletcher EAfter 1801 Took over the bridge job after Hamilton's levels proved inaccurate.
Item 5 of 10John Rennie Bc. 1801 Was consulted on the desgn of this bridge.
Item 6 of 10James Burn D1805 Plan for symmetrical terraces ,stretching from North Street to Castle Street. Responsible for balustraded parapet ('gave the bridge its distinctive appearance') of bridge. Scheme known from outline drawing by the engineer Thomas Fletcher.
Item 7 of 10William Dyack J19051908Bridge widened.
Item 8 of 10James Brown Nicol AAfter 1907 Railings (or parapets)
Item 9 of 10Kelly & Nicol AAfter 1907 Railings (or parapets)
Item 10 of 10William Kelly AAfter 1907 Railings (or parapets)

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th editionEntry for David Hamilton
Item 2 of 4Morgan, Diane2008The Granite Mile: the story of Aberdeen's Union Street Black & White Publishing, Edinburgh (in collaboration with Evening Express, Aberdeen)pp 82-3
Item 3 of 4Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and Aberdeen London and New Haven: Yale University Presspp144-5, 149-150
Item 4 of 4Simpson, W Douglas A tribute offered by the University of Aberdeen to the memory of William Kelly LLD ARSA  p7

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 7Aberdeen Journal16 March 1801   
Item 2 of 7Aberdeen Journal22 June 1905   
Item 3 of 7Aberdeen Journal14 October 1907   
Item 4 of 7Aberdeen Journal9 May 1908   
Item 5 of 7Aberdeen Journal19 February 1943   
Item 6 of 7Caledonian Mercury9 April 1801   
Item 7 of 7RIAS QuarterlyAugust 1947 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)Article by D Simpson

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 2Aberdeen Art GalleryAberdeen Art Gallery Plans  
Item 2 of 2Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register20077