Nottingham Civic Society - Nottingham's Architects

Nottingham's architects

Nottingham is an essentially Victorian city although it was not officially designated a city until Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in June 1897. The city's chief architects are:

Albert Nelson Bromley (1850-1934)
Robert Evans (1832-1911)
Watson Fothergill (1841-1928)
Thomas Chambers Hine (1813-1899)
Richard Charles Sutton (1834-1915)

Nottingham's foremost Victorian architect was Thomas Chambers Hine (1813-99) who has graced the city with a fine range of

buildings, often in his own interpretation of the Italianate style. As he neared retirement he was affectionately called "The father of the Midland Architects."

Adams and Page Warehouse. (c) Martine Hamilton Knight, 2001

A rather more popular architect was Watson Fothergill (1841-1928 - but until 1892 known as Fothergill Watson).

Fothergill's Office, 15 George Street (c) Martine Hamilton Knight, 2001

His popularity lies in his legacy of very flamboyant buildings, which grace the centre of Nottingham, notable for the quality of workmanship and the choice of materials.

The Nottingham Civic Society has published booklets on the careers of both Hine and Fothergill.

There are a number of other fine architects who worked in Nottingham during the nineteenth century but their achievements have tended to be overshadowed by Hine and Fothergill. These other architects include Robert Evans (1832-1911), Hine's pupil and partner from 1857-67; Albert Nelson Bromley (1850-1934) and Richard Charles Sutton (1834-1915).

Albert Nelson Bromley (1850-1934), the mentor of T. Cecil Howitt, was responsible for a number of classical bank premises in Nottingham. He had a period when he faced his buildings in terra cotta. Some of his work still graces the city centre. Most noticeably these are: the former Boots "flagstore"(1903) on High Street; the Yorkshire Bank on the High Street/Smithy Row corner (1927); the Argos Store on Lower Parliament Street (1900); the former National Telephone Company's exchange, George Street (1898); and the Long Row frontage to Debenham's store Long Row (1921&27). For a short time he designed branches of Boot's chemist shops in an appropriate local vernacular style. He was an environmentalist-long before the term became fashionable.

Richard Charles Sutton (1834-1915) was a solid reliable architect. Castle Gate Congregational Church (1863) was one of his earliest achievements. His work encompassed a wide range of building types. Factories, warehouses-in the Lace Market and elsewhere, churches, houses and shops (including Ben Bowers Restaurant (1877) and Jesse Boot's first commissioned shop in Goose Gate (1881/2)) formed part of his portfolio. His son Ernest was also an architect.

The work of Robert Evans (1832-1911) can be found around Nottingham. Many have been converted into other uses. Eldon Chambers, Wheeler Gate (c.1867) was one of his first solo assignments after leaving Hine. Other work in the central area includes the Bradford and Bingley offices South Parade/Wheeler Gate (1888), Café Rouge (former Hart Fellows Bank, Bridlesmith Gate (1884), Offices at St Peter's Church Walk (1887) and Weekday Cross/High Pavement (1880/84), and Paper Lace Nursery alongside Hine's "Adams" building on Stoney Street (1872). Around 1871, Evans was joined by William Jolley, a former fellow pupil of Hine's. In the early 1890s when Jolley retired Robert Evans junior was promoted from within the practice to form Evans & Son. (KB)