George Skipper
Encyclopedia
George John Skipper was a leading Norwich
based architect
of the late Victorian
and Edwardian period. Writer and poet, John Betjeman
gave this description of him "he is altogether remarkable and original. He is to Norwich rather what Gaudi was to Barcelona
"
Skipper was born in the Norfolk
market town
of East Dereham. He trained as an architect in London
before returning to work in his father's firm of builders in Norwich. After setting up his own business in 1879 he was commissioned to design the town hall at Cromer
and subsequently several seaside hotels in the town. Much of his best work can be seen in Norwich, which date from the turn of the 19th century. At this time Skipper, who along with his rival Edward Boardman dominated building in the city. His own office which was located in London Street is now part of the Jarrolds
departmental store, the red brick facade features scenes of architects and builders and is finished in a local type of terracotta called Cosseyware, made at Costessey
near Norwich by the firm of Guntons. In 1899 he designed the Arts and Crafts
style Royal Arcade in the city. His design for the Norwich Union
headquarters located in Surrey Street was completed in 1903–04. The building features the noted Marble Hall.
Norwich
Norfolk
Cromer
Guist
Hunstanton
Suffolk
Lowestoft
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
based 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...
of the late Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and Edwardian period. Writer and poet, John Betjeman
John Betjeman
Sir John Betjeman, CBE was an English poet, writer and broadcaster who described himself in Who's Who as a "poet and hack".He was a founding member of the Victorian Society and a passionate defender of Victorian architecture...
gave this description of him "he is altogether remarkable and original. He is to Norwich rather what Gaudi was to Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
"
Skipper was born in the Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
of East Dereham. He trained as an architect in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before returning to work in his father's firm of builders in Norwich. After setting up his own business in 1879 he was commissioned to design the town hall at Cromer
Cromer
Cromer is a coastal town and civil parish in north Norfolk, England. The local government authority is North Norfolk District Council, whose headquarters is in Holt Road in the town. The town is situated 23 miles north of the county town, Norwich, and is 4 miles east of Sheringham...
and subsequently several seaside hotels in the town. Much of his best work can be seen in Norwich, which date from the turn of the 19th century. At this time Skipper, who along with his rival Edward Boardman dominated building in the city. His own office which was located in London Street is now part of the Jarrolds
Jarrolds
Jarrolds is a large, family run department store in Norwich, England. It is situated at the corner of Exchange Street and London Street. The business was founded in 1770 in Woodbridge in Suffolk, moving to Norwich in 1823. The current building was designed by George John Skipper between 1903-5...
departmental store, the red brick facade features scenes of architects and builders and is finished in a local type of terracotta called Cosseyware, made at Costessey
Costessey
Costessey is a civil parish situated west of Norwich in Norfolk, England. The parish comprises two settlements: the long-established village of Costessey , and New Costessey , which developed during the first half of the 20th century and has become a suburb of Norwich...
near Norwich by the firm of Guntons. In 1899 he designed the Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
style Royal Arcade in the city. His design for the Norwich Union
Norwich Union
Norwich Union was the name given to insurance company Aviva's British arm before June 2009. It was originally established in 1797. It is the biggest life insurance provider in the United Kingdom, and has a strong position in motor insurance...
headquarters located in Surrey Street was completed in 1903–04. The building features the noted Marble Hall.
Buildings attributed to Skipper
This list includes many of his best known worksNorwich
- JarroldsJarroldsJarrolds is a large, family run department store in Norwich, England. It is situated at the corner of Exchange Street and London Street. The business was founded in 1770 in Woodbridge in Suffolk, moving to Norwich in 1823. The current building was designed by George John Skipper between 1903-5...
departmental store, Exchange Street and London Street. (1903–05) - Skipper's office at 7, London Street now part of the above store. (1896)
- Additions and extensions to 9–11 London Street. (1897)
- The Royal Arcade, (1898–99)
- Norfolk Daily Standard offices, St Giles' Street (1899–1900)
- Haymarket Chambers, (1901–03)
- Norwich UnionNorwich UnionNorwich Union was the name given to insurance company Aviva's British arm before June 2009. It was originally established in 1797. It is the biggest life insurance provider in the United Kingdom, and has a strong position in motor insurance...
, headquarters Surrey Street. (1901–06) - Commercial Chambers, Red Lion Street. (1901–03)
- London and Provincial Bank (1907)
- Norfolk and London Accident Assurance offices, 41–43 St Giles' Street (1906), later a Telephone Exchange. Today (2010), the building is a luxury hotel.
Norfolk
Cromer
- Cromer Town Hall (1890) extant
- Hotel de Paris Hotel, the building was extensively remodelled in (1895–96)
- Hotel Metropole, (1893) demolished.
- Grand Hotel, (1891) demolished
Guist
Guist
Guist is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk.It covers an area of and had a population of 242 in 102 households as of the 2001 census. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of Breckland....
- Sennowe Hall, was redesigned by Skipper between (1904–11).
Hunstanton
Hunstanton
Hunstanton, often pronounced by locals as and known colloquially as 'Sunny Hunny', is a seaside town in Norfolk, England, facing The Wash....
- Hunstanton Town Hall
Suffolk
Lowestoft
Lowestoft
Lowestoft is a town in the English county of Suffolk. The town is on the North Sea coast and is the most easterly point of the United Kingdom. It is north-east of London, north-east of Ipswich and south-east of Norwich...
- Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht ClubRoyal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht ClubThe Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club is a private yacht club based in Lowestoft and Suffolk. It was founded on April 9, 1859.-External links:** at SailingNetworks.com...
clubhouse (1903)
Further reading
- Summers, David (2009) "George John Skipper: Norfolk architect", in: Ferry, Kathryn, ed. Powerhouses of Provincial Architecture, 1837-1914. London: Victorian Society; pp. 74-82