Bradshaw Gass & Hope

Jonas James Bradshaw first opened an office on Nelson Square, Bolton in 1862, then moved to 19 Silverwell Street in 1871. His nephew John Bradshaw Gass joined him in 1882 and Arthur John Hope was articled to the firm in 1892, becoming a partner in 1902.

Although Bradshaw was capable of designing fine Gothic Revival houses, like Watermillock (1880–1886), he mainly produced industrial buildings. The technical challenges of early iron and concrete framed factories led Bradshaw to employ structural engineers and quantity surveyors and he thus founded one of the first multidisciplinary practices. The emphasis on engineering in the practice benefited John Parkinson, Bradshaw's apprentice from 1877 to 1882, who later designed high-rise buildings including Los Angeles City Hall.

From 1902 until 1912, the practice included a comma in its name.

In the early 20th century, Bradshaw Gass & Hope achieved national prominence, winning several architectural competitions and commissions to build seven town halls between 1928 and 1939. During the period, Bradshaw Gass & Hope attracted many architecture students, several of whom went on to head council architects departments.

Until the 1960s most of the firm's work was in the Classical idiom.

Sir George Grenfell-Baines, the founder of Building Design Partnership, worked for the practice from 1930 to 1934 He was impressed by its multidisciplinary nature but dismayed by the then strictly hierarchical structure.