Salmon served his apprenticeship with John Brash, who between 1823 and 1829 designed the houses of Glasgow's Blythswood Square.
One of the great architectural opportunities of 19th century Glasgow came in the opening up of whole new areas for development and the freedom to design them.
In 1854, he planned an area of ornamental villas and self-contained houses mixed with terraces and open spaces.
Surviving buildings in the city designed by Salmon in succeeding partnerships include: There were also some "working" tenements in Plantation.
[citation needed] James Salmon died on 5 May 1888, while walking to his home at Broomknowe, Broompark Circus, Dennistoun.