Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Miller & Partners | Designation: | | Born: | | Died: | | Bio Notes: | James Miller & Partners was founded by James Miller and his brothers John and Lawrence as James Miller & Partners Limited in 1934. James was Lord Provost of Edinburgh between 1951 and 1954, during which time he was knighted. In 1964 he became Lord Mayor of London. He remained Chairman until 1970 and continued as a Director until 1973. John Miller was primarily involved in the Civil Engineering, Construction and Mining side of the business until his retirement in 1976. Sir James' son, also James, joined the company in 1958, and the Board in 1960, becoming Chairman in 1970 on his father's resignation. James' younger brother Roger also joined the company in 1960, joining the Board in 1965 and becoming Chairman and Managing Director of Miller Homes from 1970 until retirement in 1991.
Keith Miller, John's son, was appointed as Chief Executive of the Group in 1994, having previously been Managing Director of Miller Mining and Miller Developments.
Before the Second World War, Miller Homes primarily operated in the East of Scotland, capitalising on the housing boom at that time, and acquired substantial areas of land, the last of which is only now being developed. The company expanded into the west of Scotland, then in England after the war, initially rebuilding war-damaged properties. By the 1950s, Miller Homes was actively involved in new build schemes and has built over 60,000 homes throughout the UK in over 70 years.
James Miller and Partners became involved in all types of construction during the 1930s and the war years. The post-War years saw an increase in demand for housing, initially pre-fabs, which led to the expansion of company operations in England. During the 1950s and 60s, the company was involved in a wide variety of different projects - housing, schools, hospitals, civic, commercial and industrial properties, for some very prestigious clients.
The industry went through a period of major growth in the 1970s and 80s, significant aspects being the development of design and construction through System Building, and the emergence of Management Contracting. The company also became involved in oil-related projects in Shetland which led to a number of successful overseas contracts e.g. the Middle East, Gibraltar, Botswana, Malaysia, Russia and the Falklands.
From the Miller website. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 88, Hanover Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1931 | c. 1940 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils
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 | | 1932 | Housing, Craigentinny | Restalrig | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1937 | Embassy Cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1938 | Mecca State Cinema | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1944 | Hostel for Mining Trainees | | | Midlothian | Scotland | | | May 1955 | Four-apartment houses, E2Z type | | | | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1956 | Development at Craigcrook Road and Ravelston Dykes Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956(?) | Housing development with Type N houses | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 7 November 1958 | Ferry Road Housing Development | | | Edinburgh, Midlothian | Scotland | successful tender for construction per Builder p805 | | 1960s | St Mary's Place CDA | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 13 May 1960 | Cairndow-Strachur-Toward Road (A815) | Creggans and Loch Eck between | | | Scotland | to carry out the work per Builder p938 | | 12 May 1961 | Napier Technical College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | contract for building foundations at cost of ₤36,587 awarded by Edinburgh Corp Education Committee per Builder p927 | | 1962 | Housing, Inglis Green Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 20 March 1964 | Adelphi Secondary School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | NOTE: role unclear - Boissevain & Osmond were architects; Miller & Partners as builders? Work in excess of £0.5m. | | 1965 | Flats, Orchard Brae Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1965 | Moredun Housing scheme | Gilmerton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Unclear if superseded by Miller Homes | | 4 February 1966 | University of Edinburgh Department of Biology & Natural Resources | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 25 February 1966 | Telford College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 22 April 1966 | Shopping Development for London and County Real Estate Ltd., Ferry Rd | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 29 April 1966 | 160 Houses, Thornly Park and Corsebar | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 15 July 1966 | Houses & Garages for Burgh Council, Clydebank | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 9 September 1966 | Oxgangs School | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 28 October 1966 | Two 12-storey Blocks for Burgh Council, Saltcoats | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1967 | 200 SSHA Houses, Spencerfield | Inverkeithing | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1967 | 285 houses, The Terraces, Kilbowie Hill | Clydebank | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1967 | Housing, Spencerfield | Inverkeithing | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1967 | Multi-storey housing, Lacy Street Redevelopment Area | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | February 1967 | Primary School, Kirkmichael | | | Dumbarton | Scotland | | | 1968 | 130 houses, Mill of Mains Housing Scheme | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1968 | Kingsridge Secondary School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions | | January 1968 | 39 Houses and 19 Garages at Buckstone Estate | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | June 1968 | 2-Span Bridge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1969 | Housing, Erskine New Community | Erskine | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1970 | North Muirton, housing | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | pp35, 54, 60 Erskine p59 Glebelands, Saltcoats | | RCAHMS | 1999 | Homebuilders: Mactaggart & Mickel and the Scottish housebuilding industry | | RCAHMS | p 19, 39, 47, 58, 73, 84, 107, 117, 119-20, 122-3, 157, 160, 167, 218-9, 226, 237-49, 249, 257, 266 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 20 March 1964 | | | p640 | | Building | 29 September 1967 | | | p162 | | Building | 19 January 1968 | | | p156 | | Building | 14 June 1968 | | | p194 |
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