Basic Biographical Details

Name: J M Monro & Son
Designation:  
Born: 1893
Died: 1955
Bio Notes: James Milne Monro was born in 1840 and was articled to John Henderson in Edinburgh c.1855. Either just before or at Henderson's death in 1862 he became an assistant in the office of Brown & Wardrop. In the mid-1860s he moved to Glasgow as assistant to William Spence before setting up his own practice at 33 Bath Street in 1872 (Bailey; Gregory, 'Architectural Heritage' XIV gives 1870), moving to no 28 in the same street in 1874.

In 1883 Monro's son Charles Ernest Monro, born 1867 (Bailey and Gregory give 1876) joined the firm as an apprentice becoming assistant in 1888 and partner as J M Monro & Son in 1893. He passed the qualifying exam relatively late in 1902, although he had probably been responsible for most of the firm's Free Renaissance design work since c.1890. He was admitted ARIBA on 2 March 1903, his proposers being David Barclay, Horatio Kelson Bromhead and John Slater. His father then sought admission as Fellow in 1906, his proposers being John James Burnet, John Keppie and David Barclay. The practice moved to 134 Bath Street in 1912.

James Milne Monro died at his home, Saxonholme, Bearsden on 27 June 1921. Throughout his lifetime the firm had concentrated on hotel and industrial work, particularly for bakers. In the early 1920s Charles Ernest's son Geoffrey James, born 1907, joined the firm, followed by the unrelated John Forbes. In the 1920s and 1930s the firm concentrated on department store and shop work chiefly for Marks & Spencer and Bayne & Duckett, initially in an Art Deco classical style. The Glasgow office was moved in 1935 to 307 West George Street. After the firm won the competition for the De Haviland factory, Geoffrey Monro opened an office at Leavesden in Hertfordshire in 1940, moving to an office in Watford in 1943.

Charles Ernest Monro died in 1945. In 1955 the Glasgow office moved to 25 Woodside Place, and in the same year the practice became known as Monro and Partners after the first non-family partners were introduced, on of whom was John Forbes who died in 1970. (Bailey gives the date of the title being changed as 1957). Geoffrey James Monro died in early 1985.

The firm of James Milne Monro and Son (subsequently Monro and Partners) were responsible for the design of all Marks and Spencer buildings in Scotland. In 1930 the first purpose-built Marks and Spencer store designed by Monro and Son opened on Argyle Street in Glasgow. After 1934, Robert Lutyens' modular scheme was adopted by the Monro practice at the following branches in Scotland: Ayr (1935), Glasgow (Sauchiehall Street 1935), Kilmarnock (1935), Dundee (1936), Falkirk (1936), Greenock (1936) and Kirkcaldy in 1938.

From the late 1920s up to the 1990s (when Monro and Partners merged to become Tibbalds Monro) the firm were also responsible for any alterations and extensions to the store.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 528, Bath Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness18931912 
Item 2 of 5134, Bath Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness19121935 
Item 3 of 5307, West George Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness19351955 
Item 4 of 5Hill Farm, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, EnglandBusiness1940After 1945 
Item 5 of 525, Woodside Place, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1955  

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 24John Forbes 1955  
Item 2 of 24James Milne Monro18931921Partner 
Item 3 of 24William McClelland18961899Draughtsman 
Item 4 of 24Charles Ernest Monro19031945Partner 
Item 5 of 24Andrew Douglas Bryce19071912Apprentice 
Item 6 of 24Harry Anderson Mochrie19211926Assistant 
Item 7 of 24Allan Stewart McNairNovember 1923November 1924Chief Draughtsman 
Item 8 of 24Geoffrey James MonroApril 1929September 1929Assistant(?) 
Item 9 of 24James Milne Munro Billing19301936Apprentice 
Item 10 of 24John Basden WingateJanuary 1930April 1931Draughtsman 
Item 11 of 24Geoffrey James MonroApril 1930Before 1940Assistant 
Item 12 of 24Geoffrey James MonroAfter 1930 Partner 
Item 13 of 24Robert George Haddon Turnbull19331938Apprentice 
Item 14 of 24John CampbellOctober 1933After 1934Assistant 
Item 15 of 24George Douglas HamiltonJune 1934September 1934Assistant 
Item 16 of 24Margaret Findlay MakinsMid 1934Mid 1934Apprentice(?)during summer vacation, while studying
Item 17 of 24James Baird19351936Assistant 
Item 18 of 24Mary Elizabeth Currie (Mrs Taylor) August 1935November 1939Apprentice(?)while studying for diploma
Item 19 of 24Clark Fyfe1936 Senior Assistant 
Item 20 of 24Robert George Haddon Turnbull19381940Assistant 
Item 21 of 24Jeffrey RowbothamFebruary 1939 Apprentice 
Item 22 of 24John SteelLate 1930s Assistant 
Item 23 of 24James William Davies KellyMarch 1945 Managerin London office (also involved in Glasgow)
Item 24 of 24John Neil19501951Assistant 

Buildings and Designs

This 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 1481890Factory, Ingram Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 2 of 1481890Markree Castle  County SligoEireAlterations
Item 3 of 1481890Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 4 of 148After 1890Villa   Scotland 
Item 5 of 1481893Convent of the Little Sisters of the PoorGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandIn partnership for work done on Convent during these years
Item 6 of 1481893Grand HotelSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 7 of 1481894House for James Halliday   ScotlandAddition of scullery
Item 8 of 1481895Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 9 of 1481896Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 10 of 1481897Grand HotelSt Andrews FifeScotlandSouth east rear wing extension
Item 11 of 1481897St Joseph's Convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor  EdinburghScotlandChapel
Item 12 of 1481898Alexandra HotelOban ArgyllScotlandLarge additions, including building containing bedrooms in garden grounds of hotel
Item 13 of 1481898Premises, Lyon Street East  GlasgowScotlandFurther work
Item 14 of 1481898Public Bar for R W Cairns  GlasgowScotland 
Item 15 of 1481898Sausage Factory  GlasgowScotlandFurther building at rear
Item 16 of 1481899Premises for J H SimpsonBridgeton GlasgowScotland 
Item 17 of 1481899Tradeston Tube Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 18 of 1481900Grant Arms HotelGrantown-on-Spey MorayshireScotlandLarge addition
Item 19 of 1481900Public House for James McFarlaneMaryhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 20 of 1481900Station HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 21 of 148c. 1900ChurchDumbarton DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 22 of 1481901Alexandra HotelOban ArgyllScotlandLarge additions, including verandah
Item 23 of 1481901Daly's premises  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction
Item 24 of 1481901Double villa for Mr DayeBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 25 of 1481902McNaughton & Sinclair's premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 26 of 1481902Shop, Buchanan Street  GlasgowScotlandShop fitting
Item 27 of 1481902St Matthew's School  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction as Industrial School
Item 28 of 1481902Tenements at DowanhillKelvinside GlasgowScotland 
Item 29 of 1481902Tenements for William Lightbody  GlasgowScotland 
Item 30 of 1481903HillcrestBearsden GlasgowScotlandAddition
Item 31 of 1481903King's Arms HotelStranraer WigtownshireScotland 
Item 32 of 1481903Premises of George Boyd & Co  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 33 of 1481903The RidgeBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 34 of 1481903Wellburn Convent of the Little Sisters of the PoorLochee DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 35 of 1481904St Joseph's Convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor  EdinburghScotlandFurther work
Item 36 of 1481904Workshop for Clarkson BrothersAnniesland GlasgowScotland 
Item 37 of 1481904Workshop for James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 38 of 1481905533-541 Duke Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 39 of 1481905SaxonholmeBearsden GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 40 of 1481905Villa for Mrs MillerBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 41 of 1481906Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandTennis pavilion and other alterations
Item 42 of 1481906Dreadnought HotelCallander PerthshireScotlandAddition
Item 43 of 1481906McNaughton & Sinclair's premises  GlasgowScotlandAlterations?
Item 44 of 1481906Shop for Bayne & Duckett   Scotland 
Item 45 of 1481906Shop for Bayne & Duckett  GlasgowScotland 
Item 46 of 1481906Tea warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 47 of 148190710 Walmer CrescentCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 48 of 1481907Country HouseWoldingham SurreyEngland 
Item 49 of 1481907Maryhill Industrial SchoolMaryhill GlasgowScotlandAdditions to gardener's cottage
Item 50 of 1481907Royal HotelCampbeltown ArgyllScotland 
Item 51 of 1481907Shop for Mrs McKinlay  GlasgowScotland 
Item 52 of 1481907Walmer Crescent (part), 292-308 Paisley Road WestCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 53 of 1481907Walmer Crescent (part), 310-328 Paisley Road WestCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 54 of 1481908Anderston Public School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 55 of 1481908Govanhill Free ChurchGovanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 148Before 1908Dennistoun BakeryDennistoun GlasgowScotlandFurther work to 1908
Item 57 of 1481909Glasgow Cancer HospitalGarnethill GlasgowScotlandRebuilding (rebuilt from nurses' accommodation of earlier hospital)
Item 58 of 1481909Workshop for W & J Martin  GlasgowScotland 
Item 59 of 148Early 1900sDomestic Science School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 60 of 1481910sDesign for a wash stand     
Item 61 of 1481910sInvergyle House, septic tankInvergyle Stirlingshire?Scotland 
Item 62 of 1481910sProperty in West Graham Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 63 of 1481910Bearsden Primary SchoolBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 64 of 1481910Bellshill Public SchoolBellshill LanarkshireScotland 
Item 65 of 1481910Design for pavilion for James Gibbs     
Item 66 of 1481910Hydepark Street School  GlasgowScotlandCompetition entry
Item 67 of 1481910Kelvin Motor Works  GlasgowScotlandIn conjunction with Walter Robert Watson
Item 68 of 148c. 1910Bakery premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 69 of 1481911DrumbegHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 70 of 1481912134-136 Buchanan Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 71 of 1481912TighnagarMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 72 of 1481912Villa for George Duckett  GlasgowScotland 
Item 73 of 1481912Workshop for Messrs James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 74 of 1481913East Chapelton HomeBearsden GlasgowScotlandInternal alterations
Item 75 of 1481913Public bar for Thomas Gebbie  GlasgowScotland 
Item 76 of 1481913The ManseMilngavie DunbartonshireScotlandProposed alterations
Item 77 of 1481914RavenswoodBridge of Weir RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 78 of 1481917Counting House for Messrs InglisPointhouse? Glasgow?Scotland 
Item 79 of 1481917New dining hall, kitchen and lavatories   Scotland 
Item 80 of 1481919Property for Messrs James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 81 of 1481919Property for Richard Clay & SonsBlackfriars LondonEngland 
Item 82 of 1481920sCopeland (or Copland) & Lye premises  GlasgowScotlandAlterations to Sauchiehall Street section
Item 83 of 1481920sDesign of a window     
Item 84 of 1481920sMacFarlane Lang Biscuit FactoryTollcross GlasgowScotland 
Item 85 of 1481920Bearsden UP Church  GlasgowScotlandFurther work
Item 86 of 148c. 1920Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic  GlasgowScotland 
Item 87 of 1481921BungalowSt Fillans PerthshireScotland 
Item 88 of 1481922Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandInterior alterations
Item 89 of 1481922Factory for R Patterson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 90 of 1481924AlwynMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 91 of 1481924St Luke's Established Church  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction after fire
Item 92 of 1481925Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 93 of 1481926Commercial building, Brunswick Street and Wilson Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 94 of 1481927Railings for houseMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 95 of 1481928St Andrews Ambulance Association Depot  GlasgowScotland 
Item 96 of 1481929Biscuit Works, Trafford Park,Stretford ManchesterEnglandExtension
Item 97 of 1481929Marks & Spencer store  GlasgowScotland 
Item 98 of 1481929RC College and Schools, Melville Grange FarmGilmerton EdinburghScotlandCompetition entry
Item 99 of 1481930sAir Training SchoolPrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 100 of 1481931Marks & Spencer storePaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 101 of 1481931Royal Bank of ScotlandBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 102 of 1481933Glasgow Cancer HospitalGarnethill GlasgowScotlandFurther work?
Item 103 of 1481934Marks & Spencer storeStirling StirlingshireScotland 
Item 104 of 1481935Ambulance StationGovan GlasgowScotland 
Item 105 of 1481935Marks & Spencer storeAyr AyrshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 106 of 1481935Marks & Spencer storeKilmarnock AyrshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 107 of 1481935Marks & Spencer store  GlasgowScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 108 of 148193659-63 High StreetFalkirk StirlingshireScotland 
Item 109 of 1481936Atholl Palace Hotel, HighwaysPitlochry PerthshireScotland 
Item 110 of 1481936Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic  GlasgowScotlandExtension
Item 111 of 1481936Marks & Spencer store  DundeeScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 112 of 1481936Marks & Spencer store59 High Street, Falkirk StirlingshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 113 of 1481936Warehouse and offices for Marks and SpencerGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 114 of 1481937Aircraft Factory for Blackburn and DonnyDumbarton DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 115 of 1481937Blackburn Aircraft CompanyBrough YorkshireEnglandAdministration block and canteen
Item 116 of 1481937Premises for Ruston Bucyros LtdLincoln LincolnshireEngland 
Item 117 of 1481938Queen's College  GlasgowScotlandSubstantial additions
Item 118 of 1481938Warehouse for Marks & Spencer LtdKirkcaldy FifeScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 119 of 148c. 1938De Haviland FactoryHatfield HertfordshireEnglandWon competition to secure job
Item 120 of 148Late 1930sAtholl Hydropathic EstablishmentPitlochry PerthshireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 121 of 148Late 1930sMarks & Spencer's store  EdinburghScotland 
Item 122 of 148c. 1940Davy and United Engineering Company, Administration HeadquartersDarnhall, Sheffield YorkshireEngland 
Item 123 of 1481941Royal HotelCampbeltown ArgyllScotlandFurther work
Item 124 of 1481946SaxonholmeBearsden GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 125 of 148194742-48 (or 40-46) St George’s Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 126 of 1481947City Bakeries Victoria Street  GlasgowScotlandProposed additions and alterations
Item 127 of 1481947Glasgow Cancer HospitalGarnethill GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 128 of 1481948Broompark Circus  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 129 of 1481948Canteen, Marks & Spencer, Virginia Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 130 of 1481948Croft Bodybuilding and Engineering Company Works  GlasgowScotlandExtension
Item 131 of 1481948Lanarkshire Steel Works, Central Power StationMotherwell LanarkshireScotland 
Item 132 of 1481949Offices for Ruston & HornbyLincoln LincolnshireEngland 
Item 133 of 1481949Premises for Ruston Bucyros LtdLincoln LincolnshireEnglandExtension
Item 134 of 1481951392-397 Parliamentary RoadDennistoun GlasgowScotlandFor alterations and additions
Item 135 of 1481951Lanarkshire Steel WorksMotherwell-Wishaw LanarkshireScotlandPrepared plans for extensions
Item 136 of 1481951Premises for Forresters (Outfitters) Ltd, London Road  GlagsowScotlandFor additions and alterations
Item 137 of 1481952Glasgow & West of Scotland College of Domestic Science, Park DriveKelvingrove GlasgowScotlandTo prepare plans for alterations and additions
Item 138 of 1481952MacFarlane Lang Biscuit FactoryTollcross GlasgowScotlandTo prepare plans for new buildings
Item 139 of 14828 March 1952Hubbard's Bakery  GlasgowScotlandTo prepare plans for extensions and additions
Item 140 of 14826 September 1952Hubbard's Bakery  GlasgowScotlandTo prepare plans for alterations
Item 141 of 14810 October 1952Insurance Offices, St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotlandTo prepare plans for alterations and additions
Item 142 of 1483 July 19531-9 Park Drive  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 143 of 1489 October 1953Marks & Spencer storeAyr AyrshireScotlandNew buildings
Item 144 of 1481954Premies of H & D Cohen Ltd, Coustonholm Road  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 145 of 1481954Premises of Ruberoid Co Ltd, Argyle Street  GlasgowScotlandPlans prepared for alterations
Item 146 of 1481954St Andrews Ambulance Association Depot  GlasgowScotland 
Item 147 of 14819 March 1954New Storey, 31 Hamilton StreetGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandPlans prepared and approved for new storey
Item 148 of 14819 March 1954Premises of John T Cartwright & Sons Ltd, St Vincent Lane  GlasgowScotlandPlans prepared and approved for scheme of alterations and additions

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp148
Item 2 of 2Gregory, Neil2003Monro and Partners: shopping in Scotland with Marks and Spencer Architectural Heritage, Vol XIV, pp67-85 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 13Builder20 September 1921v121 p405 - obituary of J M Monro
Item 2 of 13Builder23 February 1951  p301
Item 3 of 13Builder30 March 1951  p469
Item 4 of 13Builder18 May 1951  p719
Item 5 of 13Builder30 May 1952  p828
Item 6 of 13Builder12 September 1952  p384
Item 7 of 13Builder10 October 1952  p529
Item 8 of 13Builder3 July 1953  p40
Item 9 of 13Builder9 October 1953  p560
Item 10 of 13Builder19 March 1954  p528
Item 11 of 13Builder7 May 1954  p830
Item 12 of 13Builder11 June 1954  p1051
Item 13 of 13RIBA Journal24 September 1921v28London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp596 - obituary of J M Monro