Occupation Architect Name Charles Phipps | Role Architect Known for Savoy Theatre | |
Born 1835 Bath Died May 25, 1897, London, United Kingdom Structures Her Majesty's Theatre, Theatre Royal - Nottingham, Gaiety Theatre - Dublin, Garrick Theatre, Theatre Royal - Glasgow Similar People Frank Matcham, Richard D'Oyly Carte, John Vanbrugh, Bob Barrett, David Garrick |
Charles John Phipps FSA, known as C.J. Phipps (1835 – 25 May 1897) was an English architect best known for his theatres.
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Biography
Born in Bath, his first major work was the rebuilding of Theatre Royal, Bath in 1862/3, after the old theatre had been destroyed by fire. Moving to London, he quickly established himself as the leading theatrical architect, building, in rapid succession, the Queen's Theatre (1867), the Gaiety Theatre (1868), the Olympic Theatre (1870) and the Vaudeville Theatre (1871). His Savoy Theatre (1881), a state-of-the-art facility, was the first public building in the world lit entirely by electric light. Other major London theatres included the Strand (1882), the Prince's (1884), the Lyric (1888), the original Shaftesbury Theatre (1888), the Garrick (1889), the Tivoli (1890) and Daly's (1893). In addition to Phipps's London theatres, he was responsible for over forty theatres in the provinces. He also designed Leinster Hall in Dublin (opened in 1886 and closed in 1895), the Star and Garter Hotel at Richmond (demolished in 1919) and the Savoy Turkish Bath.
Phipps was chosen to design the Royal Institute of British Architects’ own premises at 9 Conduit Street. The building is still there, though no longer occupied by the RIBA (now in Portland Place) and is considered by some to reflect the influence of the architect’s native town. He was a fellow (1866) of the Royal Institute of British Architects, serving on its council in 1875-6, and also of the Society of Antiquaries.
Phipps died on 25 May 1897, aged 62.
Family
On 10 April 1860, he married Miss Honnor Hicks, by whom he had issue two sons and three daughters. For some time previous to his death he had been associated in partnership with his son-in-law, Mr. Arthur Blomfield Jackson.
Theatres
Among the theatres Phipps designed, or co-designed, are: