Alexander George Robertson Mackenzie was a Scottish architect.
Background
Born in Aberdeen on 12 March 1879, AGR was the second son of Marshall Mackenzie, architect and his wife, Phoebe Ann Robertson Cooper. He was educated at Gray"s School of Art and Aberdeen University and articled to his father in August 1894. At the end of his apprenticeship in 1898, he become his father"s chief assistant.
Education
From 1900, to gain London experience, he worked in the office of Colonel Edis (1839–1927), and studied at the Architectural Association and the Central School of Arts and Crafts.
Career
AGR was put in charge of a new London office, but continued to spend some time in Aberdeen. The London practice was an immediate success, with commissions for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Aldwych and a more prestigious one for Canada House (which was cancelled during World War I). Australia House, also in Aldwych, followed a few years later and was built.
The Aberdeen practice remained prosperous, with much conservation work – the main client was the National Trust for Scotland.
However, the London practice did not recover its pre-war success. After being restructured several times, "A Marshall Mackenzie & Son" closed the London office.
In Aberdeen he designed the Art Deco style Northern Hotel which was built in 1937-1938, retrieved Provost Ross" House from ruin (now part of the Maritime Museum). and the Capitol Cinema. During the First World War, AGR enlisted in the London Scottish Regiment and was severely wounded, losing most of a legal
Invalided out, he returned to work with his father.
He died on 20 March 1963, after major surgery and is buried at Bourtie churchyard.