Basic Biographical Details

Name: Andrew Doolan
Designation:  
Born: 17 July 1951
Died: 28 April 2004
Bio Notes: Andrew Doolan was born in Glasgow, the son of a miner, and the eldest of three children on 17 July 1951. He attended St Ninian's High School in Kirkintilloch but left with an A-grade in engineering drawing but no other qualifications. As a boy he delived posters to shops in Kirkintilloch advertising the Pavilion cinema where his grandfather was manager.

Doolan joined the fire service in 1967 but left to take up an apprenticeship as an architectural technician at a Glasgow practice, studying for Highers at night school as preparation for entry into a course to study for a degree in architecture. He subsequently studied at Leeds School of Architecture from 1971-75.

The completion of his studies coincided with a change in the regulation regarding architects who were for the first time allowed to be involved in property development. Doolan believed that good architecture was essential to property development.

His first £I million was made in purchasing for £77,000 and renovating 60 derelict flats and 12 shops in West Crosscauseway, West Nicolson Street and Forest Hill, Edinburgh. His business interests gradually rose to a value of £20m. Most of his work was done through his development company, Kantel, with Doolan as major share holder. He was founder and Managing Director of Andrew Doolan Limited and other directorships inlcuded Andrew Doolan Architects Limited and Atholl Estates.

Three major projects which won numerous awards are the Edinburgh City Travel Inn at Morrisons Link, the Point Hotel and the Point Conference Centre. In 1996 he was nominated as the best architect in Scotland.

In 2001 there was an initiative by the Scottish Executive for an annual award for the best new building in Scotland. This was not funded by the Executive and Doolan stepped in to provide the RIAS with the largest financial prize in UK architecture.

One of Doolan's last projects was his own house in the Grange which provoked outcry at the time. He added to a C listed villa a light glass box which is reflected by a shallow pool behind the original stone walls.

Doolan died suddenly on 28 April 2004.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business   
Item 2 of 331B, Dick Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate   
Item 3 of 334, Bread Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 2000(?)  

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 7c. 1984Blair Brewery  EdinburghScotlandRestoration and conversion to houses
Item 2 of 7Early 1980sBlock of tenements and shops, West Crosscauseway, West Nicolson Street and Forest Hill  EdinburghScotlandRehabilitation
Item 3 of 71996St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association Department Store and Dairy  EdinburghScotlandConversion to Point Hotel
Item 4 of 71997Edinburgh City Travel InnMorrison Link EdinburghScotland 
Item 5 of 7c. 2000Block of buildings, Castle Terrace and Cornwall Street  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 6 of 7c. 2000Housing development  GlasgowScotlandThe first city centre housing development in a commercial area
Item 7 of 72001St Cuthbert's Co-operative Society Furniture Showroom  EdinburghScotlandConversion to further bedrooms for Point Hotel and Point Conference Centre. Addition of penthouse and roof-top pavilion

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIAS Chartered Architect2004v16, no3 Death note
Item 2 of 3Scotsman28 April 2004   
Item 3 of 3Scotsman26 February 2005   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership