Basic Site Details

Name: Dundee Town House
City or county: Dundee
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status: Demolished
Grid ref:
Notes: Dundee Town House was extended in 1871 to the rear, the extension being known as City Chambers.

See separate entry for the new City Chambers built in the 1930s.

Alternative Names

The following alternative names are associated with this building/design:
 NameCurrent name?Notes
Item 1 of 2City Chambers Name of 1871 extension
Item 2 of 2Dundee Town Hall  

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Town hall  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 61731 Plans drawn upDesigned by William Adam as a replacement to the old Tolbooth
Item 2 of 6Between 1732 and 4 Build/construction 
Item 3 of 61871  Rear addition (City Chambers) - competition
Item 4 of 61907 ProposedScheme of extension to incorporate a city hall promoted by Provost Longair; superceded by proposals of 1910-11.
Item 5 of 61910Before 1911RestorationRestoration of City Chambers
Item 6 of 61932 Destruction/demolition 

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 6William Adam A17321734 
Item 2 of 6David Mackenzie II (or David McKenzie II)  1871 Won competition to secure job for extension (City Chambers) - £50 premium
Item 3 of 6George Shaw Aitken  1871 Third premiated competition design for extension (City Chambers) - £20 - submitted while in James Maclaren's employment but before formation of partnership
Item 4 of 6James Maclaren  1871 Second premiated competition design for extension (City Chambers) - £30
Item 5 of 6James Thomson D1907 Scheme of extension to incorporate a city hall promoted by Provost Longair; superceded by proposals of 1910-11.
Item 6 of 6James Thomson C19101911Restoration of City Chambers - as Dundee City Architect

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Adam, William1820Vitruvius Scoticus  Plate 104
Item 2 of 6Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 3 of 6Harper, Roger H1983Victorian Architectural Competitions: An Index to British and Irish Architectural Competitions… London: Mansell Publishing 
Item 4 of 6http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/183041/details/dundee+high+street+town+hous2012http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/183041/details/dundee+high+street+town+house/  Built between 1732 and 1734, Dundee Town House was built in Classical style by William Adam. The building featured a steeple over 40m high, which rose from the centre of the roof. At ground level, arcades enclosing shops gave it the local name 'The Pillars'. The council and guildry chambers were on the first floor with the jail above. The town house was repaired after a fire in 1771, extended to the rear in 1872, and demolished in 1932.

Item 5 of 6Miskell, Louise, Whatley, Christopher A and Harris, Bob2000Victorian Dundee: image and realities Tuckwellp172
Item 6 of 6RCAHMS1992Dundee on Record RCAHMSPhotograph of High Street p16
William Adam's design for Town House from Vitruvius Scoticus p17
Image of the demolition from the west of the Town House (1932) p53
View from Town House ground floor arcade (c.1930) p53
Image of illuminated copper model of Town House, Crichton Street (1991) p54

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder1871XXIX p751

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers James Thomson: L v21 no1626 & F no1602 (microfilm reel 14)