Basic Biographical Details

Name: Andrew Balfour
Designation: Architect
Born: 1863
Died: 2 November 1948
Bio Notes: Andrew Balfour was born in 1863, the son of Thomas Balfour, baker, Torryburn, Fife 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 and became chief draughtsman in the office of William Landless, before commencing practice as the partner of Henry (Harry) Bell Wesley Steele, eleven years his senior and the son of James Steele plasterer, and Ann Donaldson. At some point he spent a brief period in the architectural design and structural engineering department of Walter Macfarlane's Saracen Foundry.

The practice of Steel & Balfour 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. 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 died on 23 January 1940, Balfour on 2 November 1948 (Iain Paterson says 2 November 1943) 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 architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 884, Stanley Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1883 *  
Item 2 of 8183, Paisley Road West, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1885 or 1886 *  
Item 3 of 8110, Mains Street, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1888After 1924Subsequently known as 110 Blythswood Street
Item 4 of 86, Ailsa Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1891 *  
Item 5 of 849, Sardinia Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1901 *  
Item 6 of 855, Sardinia Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1906 *  
Item 7 of 8110, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1930After 1940Formerly known as 110 Mains Street
Item 8 of 8Restrevor, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivate19401948 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 5Boucher & HigginsOctober 18771882Apprentice 
Item 2 of 5Campbell Douglas & SellarsAfter 18821886Assistant 
Item 3 of 5John Burnet & Sonc. 1882Before 1886Assistant 
Item 4 of 5Steele & Balfour18861902Partner 
Item 5 of 5Balfour & Stewart19191940Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3William Fraser Tytler StewartAfter 1905Before 1911Chief Draughtsman 
Item 2 of 3David McChleryc. 1906 Assistant(?) 
Item 3 of 3Kathleen Hutton Arthur (Mrs Tebbitt)May 1929August 1929Apprentice(?) 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3(Sir) John James Burnet11 June 1906for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3John Keppie11 June 1906for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3C J MacLean11 June 1906for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 17Kathleen Hutton Arthur (Mrs Tebbitt)5 March 1934for Associateship
Item 2 of 17Alexander Cullen (junior)Early 1930for Fellowship
Item 3 of 17John Glen DunnLate 1920 or early 1921for Fellowship
Item 4 of 17Kenneth Finlayson Masson (or Kenneth T Masson or erroneously Manson)18 November 1941for Associateship
Item 5 of 17Duncan McKerrow30 January 1911for Licentiateship
Item 6 of 17James Miller12 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 7 of 17Joseph Charles Miller30 November 1925for Associateship
Item 8 of 17Hugh Ross12 November 1940for Associateship
Item 9 of 17Launcelot Hugh RossEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 10 of 17Launcelot Hugh RossMid 1931for Fellowship
Item 11 of 17John StewartLate 1930for Licentiateship
Item 12 of 17John Stewart1931for Fellowship
Item 13 of 17William Fraser Tytler Stewart15 October 1930for Licentiateship
Item 14 of 17William Fraser Tytler Stewart7 March 1931for Fellowship
Item 15 of 17James TaylorLate 1931for Fellowship
Item 16 of 17Walter UnderwoodEarly 1933for Associateship
Item 17 of 17Alexander Wright7 January 1941for Fellowship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 99 Bank of Scotland Buildings  GlasgowScotlandInternal alterations - date unknown
Item 2 of 99 Govan Congregational Church and hallsGovan GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 3 of 99 St James ChurchClydebank DunbartonshireScotlandDate unknown
Item 4 of 99 Stepps Congregational ChurchStepps LanarkshireScotlandDate unknown
Item 5 of 99 WoodendGiffnock RenfrewshireScotlandNo date
Item 6 of 991846BalcaskiePittenweem FifeScotlandEast Lodge
Item 7 of 991887Cranstonhill UP Church and HallCranstonhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 8 of 99After 1887BellardKilmacolm/Kilmalcolm RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 9 of 99After 1887BocquhanKippen StirlingshireScotlandExtensions
Item 10 of 99After 1887Camlachie InstituteCamlachie GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 99After 1887NormanhurstBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 12 of 99After 1887Rossarden HouseKilmacolm/Kilmalcolm RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 13 of 99After 1887Sawers Ltd premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 14 of 99After 1887Stephen Mitchell & Sons premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 15 of 99After 1887Stonehouse Public HallsStonehouse LanarkshireScotland 
Item 16 of 991889Largs Parish Church and Memorial HallsLargs AyrshireScotlandWon competition and secured job. Also designed organ case.
Item 17 of 991890sBoquhan west lodgeKippen StirlingshireScotland 
Item 18 of 991890Ardentinny Primary SchoolArdentinny ArgyllScotland 
Item 19 of 991890Hutchesontown UP ChurchHutchesontown GlasgowScotlandUnsuccessful competition design exhibited
Item 20 of 991890Stables for James Henderson  GlasgowScotland 
Item 21 of 991892(?)Whiteinch Public SchoolWhiteinch GlasgowScotlandAdditional block to E
Item 22 of 991892 or 1893Belmont Parish ChurchHillhead GlasgowScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 23 of 991893School at PartickPartick GlasgowScotland 
Item 24 of 991894AylmarAscogButeButeScotland 
Item 25 of 991894Dowanhill SchoolDowanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 26 of 991894Monzie ChurchMonzie PerthshireScotlandRenovation including new porch
Item 27 of 991894Tannadice Parish ChurchTannadice AngusScotlandCommunion table originally in Partick Old Parish Church
Item 28 of 991895Newlands Public SchoolNewlands GlasgowScotland 
Item 29 of 99c. 1895(?)Oggs CastleLibberton LanarkshireScotlandAdditions
Item 30 of 991896Partick Parish ChurchPartick GlasgowScotland£3300 overhaul
Item 31 of 991897Congregational Church, Kinnoull StreetPerth PerthshireScotland 
Item 32 of 991897Morison Memorial Church (EU)Clydebank DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 33 of 991897St Paul's Church HallLeith EdinburghScotland 
Item 34 of 991897The QuintaBridge of Weir RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 35 of 991898Govan Town Hall and Municipal BuildingsGovan GlasgowScotlandCompetition design - unsuccessful
Item 36 of 991898Tobacco Factory  GlasgowScotlandBlock at rear
Item 37 of 991899Ice Factory  GlasgowScotland 
Item 38 of 991899Lintwhite SchoolBridge of Weir RenfrewshireScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 39 of 991900Dunard Street School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 40 of 991900Montrose Street Public School  GlasgowScotlandCompetition design
Item 41 of 991900Thornwood SchoolPartick GlasgowScotland 
Item 42 of 991901Greenfield Public School and Swimming BathsGovan GlasgowScotland 
Item 43 of 991901St Columba's Church (Gaelic)  GlasgowScotlandUnsuccessful competition design
Item 44 of 99c. 1901Eastwood HollowsGiffnock RenfrewshireScotland'With bedroom, diningroom, drawing room and hall etc
Item 45 of 991902Pollokshields Congregational ChurchPollokshields GlasgowScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 46 of 991902Woodlands SchoolLangside GlasgowScotland 
Item 47 of 991903Joiners' workshop  GlasgowScotland 
Item 48 of 991903Leather Warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 49 of 991903Victoria Public SchoolGovanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 50 of 991904Battlefield Public SchoolLangside GlasgowScotlandNorth range
Item 51 of 991904Langside Primary SchoolLangside GlasgowScotland 
Item 52 of 991904William McLeod & Co business premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 99c. 1904Swanstonhill ButeButeScotlandWon competition for extension and secured job
Item 54 of 991905Govanhill SchoolGovanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 55 of 991905Hubbard's Bakery  GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 991905Truant School InstitutionShettleston GlasgowScotland 
Item 57 of 991907Holmlea SchoolCathcart GlasgowScotland 
Item 58 of 991909Dunoon Parish ChurchDunoon ArgyllScotlandAdditions
Item 59 of 991911BarwoodHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandExtension of oriel
Item 60 of 991911Shop for Sawyers fishmongers and poulterers, 36-38 Princes StreetHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 61 of 991912Stepps Free ChurchStepps LanarkshireScotlandInformation from Frank Worsdall
Item 62 of 991913Graham House Student HostelJordanhill GlasgowScotlandWon competition
Item 63 of 991913Jordanhill BotanicJordanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 64 of 991913Jordanhill GymnasiumJordanhill GlasgowScotlandWon competition
Item 65 of 991914St George's Church Hall, 25 Bath Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 66 of 99After 1914Jordanhill Physical Training DepartmentsJordanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 67 of 99Before 1914Scottish Garden City SuburbGourock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 68 of 99Before 1914WoodsideGiffnock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 69 of 991915Calder Street Public SchoolGovanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 991918Jordanhill Training College, Demonstration School HostelJordanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 71 of 99After 1919Bank of Scotland, Bearsden Branch  GlasgowScotland 
Item 72 of 99After 1919Bank of Scotland, Hillhead branchHillhead GlasgowScotland 
Item 73 of 99After 1919Bank of Scotland, Milngavie BranchMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 74 of 99After 1919Bank of Scotland, Pollokshields BranchPollokshields GlasgowScotland 
Item 75 of 99After 1919Bank of Scotland, St Vincent Place and George Square  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 76 of 99After 1919House for Thomas GilchristGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 77 of 99After 1919Masonic TempleClydebank DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 78 of 99After 1919Office and warehouse building  GlasgowScotlandGround floor rebuilt for Bank of Scotland
Item 79 of 99After 1919Parish Council ChambersAlexandria DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 80 of 99After 1919Taymouth CastleTaymouth PerthshireScotlandConversion of castle to Castle Hydro Hotel
Item 81 of 99After 1919Trinity UF Church, memorial hallsGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 82 of 99192478-82 Union Street  GlasgowScotlandNew ground floor
Item 83 of 991924Bank of Scotland Chambers, St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 84 of 99After 1929National Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street Branch  GlasgowScotlandNew building on same site
Item 85 of 991930Bank of Scotland, Crosshill  GlasgowScotland 
Item 86 of 991931Douglas HouseJordanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 87 of 991931Gymnasium NCOT  GlasgowScotland 
Item 88 of 991931National Bank of ScotlandSaltcoats AyrshireScotland 
Item 89 of 991932Bank of Scotland  GlasgowScotlandExtensive alterations
Item 90 of 991932Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds  GlasgowScotland 
Item 91 of 991932Offices for the Clyde Steamship Co Ltd  GlasgowScotland 
Item 92 of 991933Dow's warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 93 of 991933Henry Brock HospitalAlexandria DunbartonshireScotlandReconstruction and extensions
Item 94 of 991935Presbyterian ChurchPaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 95 of 991936Premises of Thomas McNeill LtdGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 96 of 991937Mosspark Congregational ChurchMosspark GlasgowScotland 
Item 97 of 991939Johnstone AcademyJohnstone RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions
Item 98 of 991939Maryhill Old Parish Church hallsMaryhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 99 of 991939Victoria InfirmaryHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandDwelling house for nursing staff and conversion of part of main building

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Glasgow Contemporaries1901Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century  p143 (protrait)
Item 2 of 2RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Building Industries6 December 1920  p137
Item 2 of 2Glasgow Herald3 November 1948  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Includes research buyy Iain Paterson
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v16 p148 no1091 (microfilm reel 11)

Images

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© All rights reserved. © Courtesy of RCAHMS. Licensor www.rcahms.gov.uk (Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century)