HIGGINSON, William (1867-1943) was active as an architect in New York City from 1894 until 1940 where he specialized in the design of industrial mill and warehouse buildings utilizing the new construction technology of reinforced concrete. His major works can be found in both the United States, and in Canada. His largest project here was the ten-storey mill and factory complex for the Atlantic Sugar Refinery Co. at Saint John, New Brunswick (1912-13; demol. c. 2010). Facing the harbour area of Lower Cove, this brick-clad landmark stood for nearly a century before it was recently demolished. Higginson was born in England in June 1867 and emigrated to the United States in 1885. He opened his own office in New York as an architect in 1894, and was briefly in partnership with Edward L. Angell in 1897-99, as Angell & Higginson, Architects (D.S. Francis, Architects in Practice - New York City 1840-1900, 1979, 39, list; James Ward, Architects in Practice - New York City 1900-1940, 1989, 35, list).
In New York City, his largest and most substantial project was the sprawling Bush Terminal Complex in Brooklyn, consisting of 22 reinforced concrete buildings spread over 200 acres and providing nearly six million square feet of industrial space. The entire project was constructed over a period of 14 years. He was also the designer of the Charles Williams Stores Building at 1 Main Street in Brooklyn, reputed to be the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world at the time of its completion in 1914. Higginson died in New York on 4 August 1943 (obituary Daily News [New York City], 6 Aug. 1943, 39; obit. and list of works in Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 6 Aug. 1943, 9; biog. Who‘s Who in American Art)
(works in Canada)
SAINT JOHN, N.B., Atlantic Sugar Refinery, Charlotte Street at Vulcan Street, near Reed’s Point, 1912-13; demol. c. 2010 (Const., ix, May 1916, 11, illus. in advert.)
SHERBROOKE, QUE., Julius Kayser & Co., Frontenac Street, major addition of a large four storey factory for a silk glove manufacturer, 1928 (C.R., xlii, 29 Aug. 1928, 53)
(works in New York State)
BROOKLYN, N.Y., large warehouse for Robert Gair Co., Washington Street, 1904-08 (Brooklyn Life, 26 April 1919, 109, illus.; A. Dolkart, Guide to New York City Landmarks, 2009, 226)
MANHATTAN, N.Y., Bush Terminal Co. Building, East 29th Street, between First Avenue and Second Avenue, a delivery depot and loft building, 1910-11 (Brooklyn Life, 15 Oct. 1910, 20, descrip.)
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Bush Terminal Complex, 28th Street to 50th Street, at Upper Bay to 2nd Avenue, 1911 to 1926, a large group of 22 industrial building for Irving T. Bush, including Buildings No. 1 to 4, Buildings No. 5 to 13, and Buildings No. 19 to 26 (Brooklyn Life, 26 April 1919, 109, illus. & descrip.; A.I.A. Guide to New York City, 1988, 616)
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Loose-Wiles Biscuit Co., [also called Sunshine Biscuit Co.], Thomson Avenue, between Orton Street and Queen’s Place, a 9 storey industrial block, 1912-13 (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 23 Dec. 1912, 4, descrip.; A.I.A. Guide to New York City, 1988, 738-39)
BROOKLYN, N.Y., Charles William Stores - Building No. 5, No. 1 Main Street, 1914 (A.I.A. Guide to New York City, 1988, 599; A. Dolkart, Guide to New York City Landmarks, 2009, 226)
LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., Kindel Bed Co., Anable Avenue at Creek Street, a large 4 storey factory for Degnon Terminal & Realty Improvement Co., 1916 (New York Times, 7 April 1916, 18, descrip.)