R. Frank Atkinson

R. Frank Atkinson.
R. Frank Atkinson in 1912
Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

Robert Frank Atkinson (1869 – 15 June 1923) was a British architect.

Career

Atkinson was born in Liverpool and began his career as an articled apprentice to John Francis Doyle in the same city. He remained as Doyle's assistant for 6 years after completing his apprenticeship, before opening his own office in Liverpool in 1897, and in London in 1901.[1] At his London office he had as an assistant Robert Atkinson (no known relation) who went on to become a famous architect.[2] He died 15 June 1923 in Leeds.[1]

Notable works

In 1907 Atkinson collaborated with Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham on the design of the steel-framed Selfridges store in London.[3]

In 1912, six leading architects of the day were chosen to submit designs for Whiteley Village, Surrey, by the trustees of Whiteley Homes. Each architect received £50 for the plans they submitted. The winning architect was Atkinson, who received a prize of £150. Although a number of his original designs were altered because of cost, his distinctive octagonal "spider's web" design for the central portion of the village was retained.[4]

Also in 1912, Atkinson designed the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool for the Midland Railway Company.[3][5] On its opening in 1914 it was described as "...the world's most palatial hotel" and is still the city's largest hotel.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Robert Frank Atkinson". Dictionary of Scottish Architects.
  2. "Robert Atkinson". Dictionary of Scottish Architects.
  3. 1 2 Curl, James Stevens (2000). "Atkinson, Robert Frank". A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
  4. Brown, Alan (1992). The Whiteley Homes Trust. Phillmore & Co. Ltd.
  5. "Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, 1926". ingenious. National Museum of Science and Industry.
  6. The Britannia Adelphi Hotel Liverpool: The story of a great undertaking (booklet available from the hotel, undated, but post 2007)
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