David Smart (architect)

Smart was born in Alyth, Perth and Kinross, in 1824.[1]

Although it is not known with whom he first apprenticed, he worked for many years in the office of David Bryce.[1] It is rumoured that a disagreement in that office resulted in Smart leaving to take over the practice of William Macdonald Mackenzie from his widow in 1858. The quarrel was settled amicably.[1]

By the late 1870s, Smart was worked with a relative, James Smart, who was his partner from around 1887. Their firm was D & J Smart.[1] The partnership was dissolved shortly before the turn of the century, possibly due to the readmission of James Smart's son, John (born 1872), to the practice.[1]

David retained the office at 42 Tay Street in Perth, while James opened his at 28 York Place as James Smart & Son.[1]

In 1907, David Smart began a partnership with his senior assistant Donald Alexander Stewart (born 1876), who had been articled to Smart since 1892. The firm became known as Smart & Stewart.[1]

Smart retired around 1911 at the age of 86.[1]

Selected notable works

Perth's Balhouse Castle, which Smart significantly expanded in the 1860s

• Battleby, near Luncarty (1862)
• Balhousie Castle (1862) – restoration and enlargement
• 54 Tay Street (1866)
• Perth Sheriff Court and County Buildings, Perth (1866)[3] – rebuilding of courtroom section of Sir Robert Smirke's building on square plan; internal remodelling and new buildings on South Street
• Station Hotel, Perth (1866) – not the same building as today's Station Hotel, but was on the same street
• Perth Royal Infirmary (original location; 1867) – relocated and reconstructed William Mackenzie's lodge in a different form[4]
• Brand's Building, South Street, Perth (1899)[5]

Smart was married to Margaret Morrison, with whom he had three daughters.[1] One of his daughters was Jane Greig Smart, who died in 1952.[6]

Smart's nephew, James, also became a noted architect.[7]