Thomas Oliver

Thomas Oliver was an English classical architect active in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was one of a number of talented local architects who worked with Richard Grainger on the development of Newcastle, but his work tends to be overshadowed by that of John Dobson who has been given a great deal of the credit for the central part of the city referred to as Grainger Town. Oliver worked under Dobson for six years before setting up his own practice in 1821. In 1824 Oliver designed a row of 31 brick-built houses, built by Grainger on the north side of the newly built Blackett Street. These houses were demolished in the sixties as part of the re-development, which produced the Eldon Square Shopping Centre. In 1829 Oliver designed Leazes Terrace, an oblong block of 70 lofty houses in the classical style with small gardens in front and a paved terrace walk. The terrace took five years to complete. The scheme also included Leazes Crescent and Leazes Place, two streets of two-storey brick and stucco cottages. All three of Oliver’s creations survive today, although Leazes Terrace suffers from being overshadowed by St James' Park football stadium.