James Salmon
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James Salmon (1805-1888) was a Scottish architect, active chiefly in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
Salmon served his apprenticeship with John Brash, who between 1823 and 1829 designed the houses of Glasgow's Blythswood Square. Salmon would no doubt have been involved with the work. One of the great architectural opportunities of 19th century Glasgow came in the opening up of whole new areas for development and the freedom to design them. This was the opportunity Brash had with Blythswood Square. James Salmon's chance came with the planning of the new suburb of Dennistoun. In 1854, he planned an area of ornamental villas and self-contained houses mixed with terraces and open spaces. Unfortunately, very little of this came about since the area was too near the industrial heart of the City to become popular. By 1861, Salmon's plans had been discarded. Of the original design only Westercraigs survives - with a few of the 'ornamental villas' and four terraces. Surviving buildings in the city designed by Salmon in succeeding partnerships include:
- 65-81 Millar Street - Warehouse 149/5 1 in partnership with Robert Black.
- 191 Ingram Street - Lanarkshire House (1853) in partnership with Robert Black.
- 38 Bath Street - Originally Mechanic's Institute (1861).
- 50 Prospecthill Road - Deaf Institute (now Langside College[1]) (1866) Salmon, Son & Richie.
There were also some "working" tenements in Plantation. James Salmon died in May 1888, in his home at 3 Broompark Circus, Dennistoun.
James Salmon's son, also called James (1873-1924), followed in his father's footsteps as an architect. One of his most famous buildings is 'The Hatrack' (1899-1902) in St Vincent Street, a heavily glass-fronted Art Nouveau tower, remarkable in execution for its day. This building was only recently rescued from demolition and is Grade-A listed.
