Edward Boardman (1833–1910) was a Norwich born architect. He succeeded John Brown as the most successful Norwich architect in the second half of the 19th century. His work included both civic and ecclesiastical buildings, in addition to private commissions. Together, with his rival, George Skipper, he produced many notable buildings with several standing to this day (2013).
Boardman trained as an architect with the London-based company Lucas Brothers and was later articled with John Louth Clemence of Lowestoft. In 1860, he established his own practice in Norwich, before being accepted as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1871. From 1875, his offices were located at Old Bank of England Court, Queen Street, Norwich.
His major works in Norwich include the refurbishment of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, converting Norwich Castle into a museum, building the notable Royal Hotel and the mortuary chapel in the city's Rosary Cemetery. Outside of the city, he was responsible for the remodelling of Peckover House in Wisbech, the enlargement of Coltishall Primary School and in 1873, the building of the Dereham Congregational Church are among his most notable works.
Personal life
Boardman was born in Norwich in 1833 and lived at 91 Newmarket Road, Norwich to his death on 11 November 1910. He was elected Mayor of Norwich for 1905–1906. Boardman retired in 1933 and the practice continued to 1966. He is buried at the city's Rosary Cemetery.
Family
His son Edward Thomas (also an architect) was born in 1862 and joined the family firm in 1889. He assumed control of the business in 1900. He married Florence, a daughter of Sir Jeremiah Colman, 1st Baronet, a member of the Colman's family. They bought the How Hill estate at Ludham, Norfolk and built How Hill House as a holiday home in 1904. They extended the house in 1915 and moved there permanently. Among their children were Humphrey who represented Great Britain in the 1928 Summer Olympics in the double sculls and Christopher, who won a gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics in the 6 metre yachting competition.
Gallery
Buildings and structures of Edward Boardman
Works
This list is incomplete
Norwich
Ecclesiastical
1868 St Mary's Baptist Church, Duke Street was destroyed in World War II.
1869 Congregational Church, Princes Street was redesigned by Boardman (of which he was a member).
1875 Unthank Road Baptist Church, demolished in 1955.
1879 The Gothic Mortuary Chapel in Rosary Cemetery.
1880 Chapelfield Methodist Church.
1882 St Edmund, Fishergate restoration.
1883 St Elthelreda, restoration.
Public
1876–1880 London Street improvement scheme.
1879–1884 He rebuilt much of the city's Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
1887 The conversion of Norwich Castle from a gaol to a museum.
1899 Extension to the Bethel Hospital.
Private
1869 He designed Grade II terraced housing and villas in Chester Place for Henry Trevor, owner of the Plantation Garden and Plantation house.
1870 12, Gentlemen's Walk. A branch of the Halifax Building Society occupy the building today (2013).
1877Gothic style piano warehouse in Gentlemen's Walk. Later occupied by a branch of Burton's and today (2013) Jack Wills.
1877 Castle Chambers, Castle Meadow.
1879 Norvic Shoe Factory for Messrs Howlett and White, extension to hold machinery added in 1894. The building today (2013) is used for offices and dwellings.
1880Venetian gothic style building in London Street. Today (2013) the building houses a Stead and Simpson outlet.
1888 The Norfolk Club coffee room.
1889Caleys chocolate factory later Rowntree Mackintosh and finally Nestle was destroyed in 1942 by enemy bombing. The factory was rebuilt in 1955 and demolished in 1994 to make way for the Chapelfield shopping mall.
1890s Alexandra Mansions, Prince of Wales Road.
1896–1897 The Royal Hotel, which he designed in a Flemish style completed in ornate brickwork and Cosseyware. Today (2013), the building is mainly used for offices.
