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Basic Biographic Details
Name:
Andrew Doolan
Designation :
Architect
Date of Birth:
Exact Date
Exact DOB:
17/07/1951
Year of Birth :
Circa Year of Birth :
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Exact Date
Exact DOD:
28/04/2004
Year of Death:
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
Bio Notes :
Andrew Doolan was born in Glasgow, the son of a miner, and the eldest of three children on 17 July 1951. He attended St Ninian's High School in Kirkintilloch but left with an A-grade in engineering drawing but no other qualifications. As a boy he delived posters to shops in Kirkintilloch advertising the Pavilion cinema where his grandfather was manager.
Doolan joined the fire service in 1967 but left to take up an apprenticeship as an architectural technician at a Glasgow practice, studying for Highers at night school as preparation for entry into a course to study for a degree in architecture. He subsequently studied at Leeds School of Architecture from 1971-75.
The completion of his studies coincided with a change in the regulation regarding architects who were for the first time allowed to be involved in property development. Doolan believed that good architecture was essential to property development.
His first £I million was made in purchasing for £77,000 and renovating 60 derelict flats and 12 shops in West Crosscauseway, West Nicolson Street and Forest Hill, Edinburgh. His business interests gradually rose to a value of £20m. Most of his work was done through his development company, Kantel, with Doolan as major share holder. He was founder and Managing Director of Andrew Doolan Limited and other directorships inlcuded Andrew Doolan Architects Limited and Atholl Estates.
Three major projects which won numerous awards are the Edinburgh City Travel Inn at Morrisons Link, the Point Hotel and the Point Conference Centre. In 1996 he was nominated as the best architect in Scotland.
In 2001 there was an initiative by the Scottish Executive for an annual award for the best new building in Scotland. This was not funded by the Executive and Doolan stepped in to provide the RIAS with the largest financial prize in UK architecture.
One of Doolan's last projects was his own house in the Grange which provoked outcry at the time. He added to a C listed villa a light glass box which is reflected by a shallow pool behind the original stone walls.
Doolan died suddenly on 28 April 2004.
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Private Addresses
Private Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From Char
Date From Type
Date To Char
Date To Type
Notes
Edinburgh Scotland
Private/business
31B Dick Place Edinburgh Scotland
Private
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Business Addresses
Business Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From
Date From Type
Date To
Date To Type
Notes
34 Bread Street Edinburgh Scotland
Business
c. 2000
Edinburgh Scotland
Private/business
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Buildings and Designs
This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
Buildings and Designs2 classic
Building Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
Blair Brewery
c. 1984
Edinburgh
Scotland
Restoration and conversion to houses
Block of tenements and shops, West Crosscauseway, West Nicolson Street and Forest Hill
Early 1980s
Edinburgh
Scotland
Rehabilitation
St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association Department Store and Dairy
In year 1996
Edinburgh
Scotland
Conversion to Point Hotel
Edinburgh City Travel Inn
In year 1997
Morrison Link
Edinburgh
Scotland
Block of buildings, Castle Terrace and Cornwall Street
c. 2000
Edinburgh
Scotland
Restoration
Housing development
c. 2000
Glasgow
Scotland
The first city centre housing development in a commercial area
St Cuthbert's Co-operative Society Furniture Showroom
In year 2001
Edinburgh
Scotland
Conversion to further bedrooms for Point Hotel and Point Conference Centre. Addition of penthouse and roof-top pavilion
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References
Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this person:
Period ref classic
Periodical Name
Publisher
Date Circ
Edition
Notes
RIAS Chartered Architect
2004
v16, no3
Death note
Scotsman
2005/02/26
Scotsman
2004/04/28
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Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this person:
Arc ref classic
Archive Name
Source
Source Cat No
Building Id
Item Name
Notes
Records of membership
RIAS, Rutland Square
201006
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