Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie
Encyclopedia
Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie (12 March 1879 – 20 March 1963) was a Scottish
architect
.
on 12 March 1879, AGR was the second son of Marshall Mackenzie
, architect and his wife, Phoebe Ann Robertson Cooper. He was educated at Gray's School of Art
and Aberdeen University and articled to his father in August 1894.
in Paris and in the London office of Niven & Wigglesworth, before returning to his father's office as a partner in 1902.
AGR was put in charge of a new London office, but continued to spend some time in Aberdeen. The London practice was an immediate success, with commissions for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
in Aldwych and a more prestigious one for Canada House (which was cancelled during World War I
). Australia House
, also in Aldwych, followed a few years later and was built.
In the 1920s, AGR spent much of his time in the Aberdeen office, where his father was assisted by John Gibb Marr (1890 – 1983), who was taken into partnership in 1927. The Aberdeen practice remained prosperous, with much conservation work - the main client was the National Trust for Scotland
. However, the London practice did not recover its pre-war success. After being restructured several times, 'A Marshall Mackenzie & Son' closed the London office. Mackenzie and his wife moved to Bourtie House, a fine Georgian
house, near Inverurie
. In Aberdeen he designed the Art Deco
style Northern Hotel which was built in 1937-8, retrieved Provost Ross' House
from ruin (now part of the Maritime Museum
). and the Capitol Cinema. Mackenzie remained in partnership with John Gibb Marr until AGR retired completely in 1960.
, AGR enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment and was severely wounded, losing most of a leg. Invalided out, he returned to work with his father. He died on 20 March 1963, after major surgery and is buried at Bourtie churchyard,
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
.
Early life
Born in AberdeenAberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
on 12 March 1879, AGR was the second son of Marshall Mackenzie
Alexander Marshall Mackenzie
Alexander Marshall Mackenzie was a Scottish architect responsible for prestigious projects including the Isle of Man Banking Company in Douglas, and Australia House and the Waldorf Hotel in London....
, architect and his wife, Phoebe Ann Robertson Cooper. He was educated at Gray's School of Art
Gray's School of Art
Gray's School of Art is an integral part of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen that is one of the oldest established fine art institutions in Scotland...
and Aberdeen University and articled to his father in August 1894.
Professional life
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1898, he become his father's chief assistant. From 1900, to gain London experience, he worked in the office of Colonel Edis (1839–1927), and studied at the Architectural Association and the Central School of Arts and Crafts. He gained further experience working with René SergentRené Sergent
René Sergent was a noted French architect.-Biography:Sergent was trained at the École spéciale d'architecture, where he concentrated on French architecture of the 18th century but also studied British contemporaries such as Robert Adam, then entered the architectural office of Ernest Sanson where...
in Paris and in the London office of Niven & Wigglesworth, before returning to his father's office as a partner in 1902.
AGR was put in charge of a new London office, but continued to spend some time in Aberdeen. The London practice was an immediate success, with commissions for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel
Waldorf Hilton
The Waldorf Hotel, now known as the Waldorf Hilton, is a hotel based in The Aldwych, London. It has a history dating back to 1908. It was founded by William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, part of the Astor family....
in Aldwych and a more prestigious one for Canada House (which was cancelled during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
). Australia House
Australia House
The High Commission of Australia in London is housed in Australia House, a building that also accommodates other Australian federal and state government agencies, including the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies, part of King's College London....
, also in Aldwych, followed a few years later and was built.
In the 1920s, AGR spent much of his time in the Aberdeen office, where his father was assisted by John Gibb Marr (1890 – 1983), who was taken into partnership in 1927. The Aberdeen practice remained prosperous, with much conservation work - the main client was the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
. However, the London practice did not recover its pre-war success. After being restructured several times, 'A Marshall Mackenzie & Son' closed the London office. Mackenzie and his wife moved to Bourtie House, a fine Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
house, near Inverurie
Inverurie
Inverurie is a Royal Burgh and town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, approximately north west of Aberdeen on the A96 road and is served by Inverurie railway station on the Aberdeen to Inverness Line...
. In Aberdeen he designed the Art Deco
Art Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
style Northern Hotel which was built in 1937-8, retrieved Provost Ross' House
Provost John Ross
Provost John Ross was Lord Provost in Aberdeen, Scotland from 1710–1712. Today he is most famous for the house he occupied in the 18th century from 1702.-Provost Ross's House:...
from ruin (now part of the Maritime Museum
Maritime museum
A maritime museum is a museum specializing in the display of objects relating to ships and travel on large bodies of water...
). and the Capitol Cinema. Mackenzie remained in partnership with John Gibb Marr until AGR retired completely in 1960.
Personal life
During the First World WarWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, AGR enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment and was severely wounded, losing most of a leg. Invalided out, he returned to work with his father. He died on 20 March 1963, after major surgery and is buried at Bourtie churchyard,