Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. 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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 84, Stanley Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1883 * | | |  | 183, Paisley Road West, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1885 or 1886 * | | |  | 110, Mains Street, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1888 | After 1924 | Subsequently known as 110 Blythswood Street |  | 6, Ailsa Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1891 * | | |  | 49, Sardinia Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1901 * | | |  | 55, Sardinia Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1906 * | | |  | 110, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1930 | After 1940 | Formerly known as 110 Mains Street |  | Restrevor, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | 1940 | 1948 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | (Sir) John James Burnet | 11 June 1906 | for Fellowship |  | John Keppie | 11 June 1906 | for Fellowship |  | C J MacLean | 11 June 1906 | for Fellowship |
RIBA Proposals
Buildings and DesignsThis architect 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 |  | | Bank of Scotland Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Internal alterations - date unknown |  | | Govan Congregational Church and halls | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | St James Church | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Stepps Congregational Church | Stepps | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Date unknown |  | | Woodend | Giffnock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | No date |  | 1846 | Balcaskie | Pittenweem | | Fife | Scotland | East Lodge |  | 1887 | Cranstonhill UP Church and Hall | Cranstonhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Bellard | Kilmacolm/Kilmalcolm | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Bocquhan | Kippen | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Extensions |  | After 1887 | Camlachie Institute | Camlachie | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Normanhurst | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Rossarden House | Kilmacolm/Kilmalcolm | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Sawers Ltd premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Stephen Mitchell & Sons premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1887 | Stonehouse Public Halls | Stonehouse | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1889 | Largs Parish Church and Memorial Halls | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job. Also designed organ case. |  | 1890s | Boquhan west lodge | Kippen | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1890 | Ardentinny Primary School | Ardentinny | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1890 | Hutchesontown UP Church | Hutchesontown | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design exhibited |  | 1890 | Stables for James Henderson | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1892(?) | Whiteinch Public School | Whiteinch | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additional block to E |  | 1892 or 1893 | Belmont Parish Church | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design - not successful |  | 1893 | School at Partick | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1894 | Aylmar | Ascog | Bute | Bute | Scotland | |  | 1894 | Dowanhill School | Dowanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1894 | Monzie Church | Monzie | | Perthshire | Scotland | Renovation including new porch |  | 1894 | Tannadice Parish Church | Tannadice | | Angus | Scotland | Communion table originally in Partick Old Parish Church |  | 1895 | Newlands Public School | Newlands | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1895(?) | Oggs Castle | Libberton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1896 | Partick Parish Church | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | £3300 overhaul |  | 1897 | Congregational Church, Kinnoull Street | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Morison Memorial Church (EU) | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | St Paul's Church Hall | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1897 | The Quinta | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Govan Town Hall and Municipal Buildings | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design - unsuccessful |  | 1898 | Tobacco Factory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Block at rear |  | 1899 | Ice Factory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1899 | Lintwhite School | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Competition design - not successful |  | 1900 | Dunard Street School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1900 | Montrose Street Public School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design |  | 1900 | Thornwood School | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1901 | Greenfield Public School and Swimming Baths | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1901 | St Columba's Church (Gaelic) | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design |  | c. 1901 | Eastwood Hollows | Giffnock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | 'With bedroom, diningroom, drawing room and hall etc |  | 1902 | Pollokshields Congregational Church | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |  | 1902 | Woodlands School | Langside | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Joiners' workshop | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Leather Warehouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Victoria Public School | Govanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1904 | Battlefield Public School | Langside | | Glasgow | Scotland | North range |  | 1904 | Langside Primary School | Langside | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1904 | William McLeod & Co business premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1904 | Swanstonhill | | Bute | Bute | Scotland | Won competition for extension and secured job |  | 1905 | Govanhill School | Govanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1905 | Hubbard's Bakery | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1905 | Truant School Institution | Shettleston | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1907 | Holmlea School | Cathcart | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1909 | Dunoon Parish Church | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Additions |  | 1911 | Barwood | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension of oriel |  | 1911 | Shop for Sawyers fishmongers and poulterers, 36-38 Princes Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1912 | Stepps Free Church | Stepps | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Information from Frank Worsdall |  | 1913 | Graham House Student Hostel | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition |  | 1913 | Jordanhill Botanic | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1913 | Jordanhill Gymnasium | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition |  | 1914 | St George's Church Hall, 25 Bath Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1914 | Jordanhill Physical Training Departments | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1914 | Scottish Garden City Suburb | Gourock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | Before 1914 | Woodside | Giffnock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1915 | Calder Street Public School | Govanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1918 | Jordanhill Training College, Demonstration School Hostel | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Bearsden Branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Hillhead branch | Hillhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Milngavie Branch | Milngavie | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, Pollokshields Branch | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Bank of Scotland, St Vincent Place and George Square | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations |  | After 1919 | House for Thomas Gilchrist | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Masonic Temple | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Office and warehouse building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Ground floor rebuilt for Bank of Scotland |  | After 1919 | Parish Council Chambers | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | After 1919 | Taymouth Castle | Taymouth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Conversion of castle to Castle Hydro Hotel |  | After 1919 | Trinity UF Church, memorial halls | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1924 | 78-82 Union Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New ground floor |  | 1924 | Bank of Scotland Chambers, St Vincent Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1929 | National Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street Branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New building on same site |  | 1930 | Bank of Scotland, Crosshill | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1931 | Douglas House | Jordanhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1931 | Gymnasium NCOT | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1931 | National Bank of Scotland | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Bank of Scotland | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extensive alterations |  | 1932 | Loyal Order of Ancient Shepherds | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1932 | Offices for the Clyde Steamship Co Ltd | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Dow's warehouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1933 | Henry Brock Hospital | Alexandria | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Reconstruction and extensions |  | 1935 | Presbyterian Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1936 | Premises of Thomas McNeill Ltd | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1937 | Mosspark Congregational Church | Mosspark | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1939 | Johnstone Academy | Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Extensions |  | 1939 | Maryhill Old Parish Church halls | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1939 | Victoria Infirmary | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Dwelling house for nursing staff and conversion of part of main building |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glasgow Contemporaries | 1901 | Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century | | | p143 (protrait) |  | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Building Industries | 6 December 1920 | | | p137 |  | Glasgow Herald | 3 November 1948 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Includes research buyy Iain Paterson |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v16 p148 no1091 (microfilm reel 11) |
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