Robert Frank Atkinson (1869 – 15 June 1923) was a British architect.

Atkinson was born in Liverpool and began his career as an articled apprentice to John Francis Doyle in the same city. He remained as Doyle's assistant for 6 years after completing his apprenticeship, before opening his own office in Liverpool in 1897, and in London in 1901.^[1] At his London office he had as an assistant Robert Atkinson (no known relation) who went on to become a famous architect.^[2] He died on 15 June 1923 in Leeds.^[1]

Atkinson designed the Waring & Gillow department store at 164–182 Oxford Street. It was built in 1905–06 and was made a Grade II listed building in 1973.^[3]

In 1907, Atkinson collaborated with the Chicago architect Daniel H. Burnham on the design of the steel-framed Selfridges store in London.^[4]

In 1912 six leading architects of the day were chosen to submit designs for Whiteley Village, Surrey, by the trustees of Whiteley Homes. Each architect received £50 for the plans they submitted. The winning architect was Atkinson, who received a prize of £150. Although a number of his original designs were altered because of cost, his distinctive octagonal "spider's web" design for the central portion of the village was retained.^[5]

Also in 1912 Atkinson designed the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool for the Midland Railway Company.^[4][6] On its opening in 1914 it was described as "the world's most palatial hotel" and is still the city's largest hotel.^[7]