Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Allan Foote | Designation: | | Born: | 21 July 1886 | Died: | 6 March 1969 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Allan Foote (generally known as Alex) was born on 21 July 1886, the son of Alexander Allan Foote, insurance agent, and his wife Agnes Stoole. He was articled to Thomas Saunders Robertson of Dundee on 28 March 1902, studying at Dundee Technical College and School of Art. When Robertson retired in September 1904 he transferred to the office of John Bruce & Son to complete his apprenticeship, remaining as assistant until March 1907. He then moved to London to seek wider constructional experience, finding employment as chief draughtsman to Kleine Fire Resisting Syndicate Ltd and studying at Holloway Polytechnic. He was elected FSA Scot in 1909 and in March the following year left the Kleine Company to settle in Edinburgh and take up an appointment in H M Office of Works. Between then and 1913 he studied at Edinburgh School of Art, Heriot-Watt College and Leith Technical College.
He passed the final exam in 1915 and in December that year he was sent to the Ministry of Munitions as HMOW representative for war buildings works in the Glasgow area. On completion of these works in May 1917 he entered the armed forces. He was demobilised on the request of the Office of Works in January 1919 and returned to that office as Acting Assistant Architect. He was admitted ARIBA in the middle of that year, his proposers being James Cumming Wynnes, John Watson and William Thomas Oldrieve. Later that year he transferred to the Department of Health for Scotland, where he held a number of positions including Assistant Architect for Housing.
He left the Department of Health in 1922 and commenced independent practice from his home at 92 Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh. He worked with no staff, only apprentices, often until midnight. He was responsible for a large output of domestic work and private developments. He was admitted FRIBA on 21 June 1937, proposed by William James Walker Todd, John Wilson and George Donaldson Macniven, by which time he had moved his office to 108 George Street. He closed his office on 1 October 1940 and joined the staff of the Scottish Special Housing Association where he tried to adopt RIAS standard house types on the estates it planned and was responsible for the engineering of the roads.
He resumed practice at 9 York Place in April 1945 and on 1 March 1946 he took his son, George Edward Foote into partnership as Alex Allan Foote & Son. The practice moved to 3 Grosvenor Gardens in 1966. Alexander Allan Foote died on 6 March 1969 at Longmore Hospital, Edinburgh, survived by his wife Sarah Ellen Finlay Watson. George Edward Foote died in 1991, the practice having closed in 1982. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 80, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | | | This may be an error for 108 George Street - see below | | 50, Lauder Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | | | Uncertain at what dates | | London, England | Private | c. 1908 | 1910 | | | 92, Warrender Park Road/Crescent (?), Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 1918 | 1920 | | | 29, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 12 December 1922 | May 1924 | | | 106, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 28 May 1924 | c. 1935 | | | 23, Hill Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1925 | Before 1936(?) | | | 19, South Lauder Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1936(?) | | | | 108, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1936(?) | 1940 | | | 9, York Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | April 1945 | 1966 | | | 3, Grosvenor Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1966 | After 1970 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
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 | | 1922 | House, Barnton Grove | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | House, Barnton Grove | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | House, Barnton Grove | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | House, Buckstone Park, Comiston Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | House, Grant Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | House, Grant Avenue | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | Semi-detached houses, Cluny Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1922 | Villa, Grant Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | After 1922 | Central Congress Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | After 1922 | Grange Park Properties | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Reconstruction, alterations and additions | | After 1922 | Housing development and town planning | Irvine (adjoining) | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | After 1922 | Housing schemes and town planning for extension of burgh boundaries | Lerwick | Mainland | Shetland | Scotland | | | After 1922 | Housing schemes for Zetland County Council | | | Shetland | Scotland | | | After 1922 | Stockbridge Corps Hall | Stockbridge | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | Belmont, Murrayfield feuing plan | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House (Kilrymont)and garage, Comiston Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House and garage, Comiston Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House, 2 Barnton Loan | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House, Barnshot Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House, Barnton Loan (or Avenue) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House, Cluny Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | House, Queen's Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1923 | House, St Thomas Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1923 | Shop, 33-34 Chambers Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | June 1923 | House, Barnton Loan (or Barnton Avenue) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1923 | Pair of houses, Alnwickhill Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | Bruntsfield Private Hotel | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1924 | Buildings at Bridge of Allan | Bridge of Allan | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1924 | Farmhouse, Folda Farm | Glenisla | | Angus | Scotland | Alterations | | 1924 | House and garage, 35 Barnton Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House and garage, Woodhall Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House, 25 Barnton Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House, Barnshot Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House, Barnshot Road | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House, Caroline Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | House, Caroline Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | Ken Toul | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1924 | The Bield | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | Unspecified work. New build? Alterations? | | 1924 | Two semi-detached dwelling houses at Morningside Grove | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | October 1924 | Double villa, Grange Loan | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1924 | House and garage, Barnton Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1924 | House, Craiglockhart Drive | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | 13 Braid Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | 4,6 and 8 Nelson Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Subdivision of 1st floor flat | | 1925 | Blinwell, Alnwickhill Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | Flats and Shops, Gorgie Road at Westfield Road | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | House and shop, St John's Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1925 | Staindrop, Barnton Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | Villa, corner of Grant Avenue and Bonaly Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1925 | Wolseley Corporation Motor Works (Sloan's) | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | c. 1925 | 10 Glenisla Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | c. 1925 | 25 Drumsheugh Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | c. 1925 | Cinema, Livingstone Halls | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1925 | Cottage at Russell Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1925 | Cramond Parish Church Hall | Cramond | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Extension - 3 shemes drawn up | | c. 1925 | Glenlee, Gorgie Road | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Proposed additions and alterations | | c. 1925 | House, Whitehouse Road | Barnton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1925 | Tea Room | West Linton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | | c. 1925 | Tennis Court Pavilion, Braid Estate | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1926 | 19-20 Buckingham Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1926 | 32 Drumsheugh Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion into 3 flats | | 1926 | Broxburn Lodge (or Rowallan?) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1926 | Eastmount | Bo'ness / Borrowstouness | | West Lothian | Scotland | Alterations | | 1926 | Motor Garage | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion of piggeries to garages | | 1926 | Property for the Independent Labour Party | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Plans drawn up for alterations | | c. 1926 | House, 18 Hallhead Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1927 | 22 Cluny Drive | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1927 | 24 Mayfield Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Garage built | | 1927 | 30 Drumsheugh Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1927 | 31 Dick Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1927 | Blinwell, Alnwickhill Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Garage | | 1927 | Bungalow, Oxgangs Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1927 | Glen Ord House and Nursery | Berwick-upon-Tweed | | Northumberland | England | Alterations? | | 1927 | Houses, Medwyn Estate | West Linton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | | 1927 | Properties at St Andrews Road and Monkton Road | Crail | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations | | 1927 | Shop, St Mary's Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Minor alterations | | 1927 | Two bungalows, Glasgow Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1927 | Two houses, Ladywell Road | Corstorphine | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1927 | Villa, Greenhill Park | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions to wing of house | | 1928 | Bell's Mill House, Bell's Mill | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1928 | House at Craiglockhart | Craiglockhart | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1928 | House at Waterlooville | Waterlooville, Portsmouth | | Hampshire | England | | | 1929 | 42 Cluny Drive | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Garage built | | 1929 | Beechpark House, Broomieknowe | Lasswade | | Midlothian | Scotland | | | 1929 | Cuancreag | Gullane | | East Lothian | Scotland | | | 1929 | House at Ravelston Dykes | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1929 | The Rowans | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1929 | Villa, 5 Greenhill Park | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Motor house added | | March 1929 | House and garage at Oxgangs | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1930 | 169-177 Leith Walk | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and reconditioning | | 1930 | 38 Dick Place stables | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion to house | | 1930 | 5 Lansdowne Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Proposed conversion into 2 houses | | c. 1930 | 10 Buckingham Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and conversion into 2 houses | | c. 1930 | 16 Merchiston Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1930 | 30 Drumsheugh Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and installation of lift | | c. 1930 | Factory at Preston | Preston | | Lancashire | England | | | c. 1930(?) | House for W Miller Thomas | Ravelston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1931 | Shop and houses, St John's Road | Conley Grange | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion into 2 houses and shop premises | | 1932 | 110-112 Gorgie Road | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1932 | 14 Gloucester Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1932 | 8 Bruntsfield Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1932 | Three bungalows, Niddrie Road | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | c. 1932 | Block of shops and houses, 279-293 St John's Road | Corstorphine | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1934 | Cinema and Congress Hall for the Salvation Army | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1937 | 90A Princes Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations (including coffee room) - in hand | | 1937 | Bruntsfield Private Hotel | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Formation of new gateway and garage at Leamington Terrace | | 1937 | County Hall and Offices for Zetland County Council | Lerwick? | Mainland? | Shetland | Scotland | Plans in hand | | 1937 | Flats and shops | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1937 | Villa, Grant Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Addition of garage | | 1938 | 23 Saxe Coburg Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Plans for conversion to 4 houses | | c. 1938 | Design for a hospital | | | | | | | 1939 | SHA Camp | Gorebridge | | Midlothian | Scotland | | | 1946 | Bonniefield (Bonniefield) Lodge | Barnton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1953 | 16 Forth Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1954 | Whinhill School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1955 | Phoenix Cinema | Kirkwall | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | | | 1957 | Bell's Brae Primary School | Lerwick | Mainland | Shetland | Scotland | | | 1958 | Dean Street UP Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion from Baptist to UP Church | | 1958 | Post Office and shop | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1959 | 1-5 Kirk Road | Dalserf | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Restoration, including slating of roofs | | 1964 | Langlee Community Centre | Galashiels | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Verbal information from Alex Allan Foote | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A v24 no2788 (microfilm reel 23); F no3398 (box 22) |
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