Basic Biographical Details Name: | Albert Victor Gardner | Designation: | | Born: | 1884 | Died: | 7 June 1944 | Bio Notes: | Albert Victor Gardner was born in Gloucestershire at the beginning of 1884, the son of Newton Gardner, clerk and Susannah Britter (spelling?). His parents seem to have moved location a lot in their early years as his older sister Lydia was born in Ireland and his younger sister Gladys in Sheffield. The family had settled in Glasgow by 1901 when his father gave a reception as commissionaire timekeeper. Later (in the 1918 voters' roll) he was an 'aeroplane tester'.
Albert Gardner studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1901 to 1905 but it is not yet known to which practice he was articled. Gardner commenced independent practice in 1908 at the age of twenty-four with an office at 7 Bath Street, Glasgow, his earliest commissions being minor buildings for the Post Office and a roller skating rink in Argyle Street. In 1912 John A W Grant asked him to participate with him in applying with him for the contract to design Westerton Garden Suburb. They won the contract but the houses seem to have been designed by Grant under the direction of the English architect Raymond Unwin. The earliest drawings for this development (1913) bear Grant's name only at his 136 Wellington Street address, but those the following year are signed by Grant & Gardner, based at 164 Bath Street which had been Gardner's address since 1909. Only a few streets of the Westerton development were built before World War I. The partnership of Grant & Glen appears to have been dissolved during the War.
Throughout his career Gardner specialised in cinema design, his main client in the early years being the English entrepreneur Frederick Rendelle Burnett. His reputation quickly attracted others in the cinematographic industry, notably the James Graham circuit. Although inexpensively built, Gardner's early cinemas showed considerable originality. His first purpose-built cinema, the Majestic in Govanhill Glasgow (1911) was a hybrid of French chateau Renaissance and Glasgow Style modernism. The Partick Picture House of 1912 was notable for a multi-arched castellated theme while the Picture House Campbelltown of the same year featured oeil de boeuf windows and a deep recessed balcony under a superstructure of concentric oval forms. That same year Gardner's interest in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright made a first appearance at the Star Picture House in Maryhill. Two squat towers to either side of the entrance had shallow pitched broad-eaved roofs over horizontal and vertical strips of small paned windows; recessed between them was a curved first floor balcony rising into a higher tower, again with broad eaves. The glazed corner windows with no visible support for the roofs above were distinctly modernistic for their date.
The most notable of Gardner's pre-War World I cinemas was the Pavilion Picture House, Motherwell, of 1913, built on a prominent corner site. Its façade was an impressive tribute to the entrance hall of Wright's 1900 Susan Lawrence Dana House in Springfield Illinois, rising into an asymmetrically placed advertising tower of finned brickwork and glass. The Queen's Park Picture House Glasgow (1916) similarly featured Wright-inspired motifs, as did the Springburn Picture House, the Possilpark Picture Theatre and the Alex Picture House in Paisley, all built between 1919 and 1924. Nearly all of these were low-budget structures for poor neighbourhoods and it is in this context that we should read George Singleton's later comment that Gardner was 'the most awful faker in the world. He used every substitute for the decent thing'. In actual fact he was much the most innovative of the early Scottish cinema architects and it is to be regretted that he was never lucky enough to land a really well funded commission.
Gardner married Helen Dawson Greenlees, daughter of the painter James Greenlees, at Burlington House, Glasgow on 9 June 1915. They leased one of the Westerton Garden Suburb houses in Stirling Avenue where Gardner was to live for the rest of his life. After the First World War, in 1919, he entered into partnership with William Riddell Glen (born 1884). The practice, Gardner & Glen, had offices at 164 Bath Street, Glasgow and specialised in the design of 'atmospheric' cinemas. The partnership was dissolved in 1929 when Glen left for London having obtained an appointment as Architect to Associated British Cinemas Ltd.
Gardner's practice was unaffected by Glen's departure. He continued to receive commissions for new cinemas and the refurbishment and enlargement of existing ones. He took a financial interest in at least two new cinemas - the Kelvin Cinema, Glasgow, 1930 and the Orient Kinema, Glasgow, 1932 where he was a director along with a John McMahon and a C Cochrane. These two large cinemas, like the majority of those designed by Gardner in the 1930s, featured auditoria lavishly decorated in the 'atmospheric' manner. In 1936 Gardner went into partnership with Gavin Thomson, all his work thereafter being credited to Gardner & Thomson.
Gardner died of cirrhosis of the liver on 7 June 1944 at Claremont,16 Stirling Avenue, leaving moveable estate of £14,933 14s 10d. He was buried at Hillfoot Cemetery, Bearsden. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 6, Knowe Terrace, Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | c. 1900 | 1904 | | ![Item 2 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 2, Oxford Terrace, Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1904 * | | | ![Item 3 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 25, Castle Mansions, Cathcart, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1904 | 1909 | | ![Item 4 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 7, Bath Street, Glasgoqw, Scotland | Business | 1908 | 1909 | | ![Item 5 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 164, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1909 | 1929 | | ![Item 6 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 4, Battlefield Avenue, Langside, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | c. 1909 | c. 1915 | | ![Item 7 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Claremont/16, Stirling Avenue, Westerton, Bearsden, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1915 | 1944 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | ![Item 1 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Alexander Buchanan Gardner | 1911 | Before 1914 | Assistant | | ![Item 2 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Daniel Gardner | 1912 | | Apprentice(?) | May have been an assistant or apprentice? | ![Item 3 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | John Easton | 1929 | 1932 | Chief Assistant | Possibly in the firm of Gardner & Glen | ![Item 4 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | James Hastie MacLeod | c. 1929 | 1933 | Assistant | |
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 | ![Item 1 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Tenements, Royston Road | | | Glasgow | Scotland | It is possible that these were designed by a different Gardner but yet to be confirmed. | ![Item 2 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | GPO Sorting Office | Dennistoun | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 3 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Postman's Hall | Kelvinside | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 4 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Roller Skating Rink | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 5 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1911 | Majestic Cinema | Govanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 6 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1911 | Theatre de Luxe | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 7 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | De- Luxe Picture House | Rothesay | Bute | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 8 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | Picture House | Campbeltown | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 9 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | Scenic Picture House | Kinning Park | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 10 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | Standard Picture House | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | Star Cinema | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Pavilion Picture House | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | The Picture House | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 14 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Vaudeville Picture House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Westerton Garden Suburb, 1-31 and 2-16 Northview | Westerton, Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership with Grant from 1914 | ![Item 16 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Westerton Garden Suburb, 2-16 Stirling Avenue | Westerton, Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership from 1914. | ![Item 17 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Westerton Garden Suburb, 25-107 and 46-64 Maxwell Avenue | Westerton, Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership with Grant from 1914 | ![Item 18 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Westerton Garden Suburb: Village Hall | Westerton, Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1915 | Sandyford UF Church | Breadalbane | | Glasgow | Scotland | Conversion from Sandyford UF Church to Grove Cinema | ![Item 20 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1916 | Elder Cinema | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 21 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1916 | Queen's Cinema | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1919 | Standard Cinema | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 23 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1919 | Standard Picture House | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilding | ![Item 24 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1920 | Possilpark Picture House | Possilpark | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1920 | Springburn Picture House | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 26 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1921 | Grosvenor Cinema | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 27 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1923 | Alexandra Cinema | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Original building | ![Item 28 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1924 | 30 Terraced Houses Albert, Skirving and Walton Streets | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Carlton Picture House | Townhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Coliseum Theatre | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Minor alterations when acquired for Scottish Cinema and Variety Theatres for use as a cinema in March 1925. | ![Item 31 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Kinema | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Paragon Picture House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilding | ![Item 33 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1926 | Alexandra Cinema | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Extensive alterations | ![Item 34 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1927 | Cinema | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Proposed new cinema | ![Item 35 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1927 | Gaiety Theatre | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 36 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1927 | The Lorne Cinema | Ibrox | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilding | ![Item 37 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1928 | Strathclyde Super Cinema | Dalmarnock | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 38 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1928 | Wellington Palace | Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilding of 1874 Music Hall | ![Item 39 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1928 | West End Picture House | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 40 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1929 | Kelvin Cinema | Finnieston | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1929 | Regal Cinema | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 42 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1929 | Ritz Cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 43 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | Astoria Cinema | Possilpark | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 44 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | Housing at Rutherieston | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 45 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | New Century Theatre | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Alterations to by then New Century Picture House | ![Item 46 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | Standard Picture House | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further rebuilding | ![Item 47 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | Star Cinema | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Rebuilding and enlargement | ![Item 48 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | The Picture House | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 49 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | The Picture Palace | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 50 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Crown Picture House | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 51 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Elder Cinema | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extensions | ![Item 52 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Orient Cinema | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Orient Cinema, Sword Street and Gallowgate junction | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 54 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Regal Cinema | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Chris Doak gives Gardner who perhaps submitted designs but did not eventually get the job. | ![Item 55 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Savoy Cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 56 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1933 | Alexandra Cinema | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Refurbishment | ![Item 57 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1934 | Picture House | Campbeltown | | Argyll | Scotland | Rebuilding and enlargement | ![Item 58 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1935 | Kelvin Cinema | Finnieston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction and additions | ![Item 59 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1936 | Motor Showrooms, garage and offices | Shawlands | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 60 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1936 | Queen's Cinema | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New cinema? | ![Item 61 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1938 | Alhambra Picture House | Bellshill | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 62 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1938 | Grand Central Picture House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 63 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1938 | Large Block of Flats | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1938 | The Knowe, Queen's Drive | | | Glasgow | Scotland | House divided into two flats, upper and lower | ![Item 65 of 65](images/table_item.gif) | 1939 | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | Foresterhill | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New Radiology Department |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | Chris Doak | Information via website | | Additional information sent August 2007 |
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