Open House London, the capital’s greatest architectural showcase, will take place this weekend. The initiative is a simple but powerful concept: hundreds of great buildings of all types and periods open up their doors to all, completely for FREE. It is a truly city-wide celebration of the buildings, places and neighbourhoods where we live, work and play, and is your opportunity to get out and get under the skin of London’s amazing architecture.
I previously notified you of the Buildings near Pimlico which needed to be booked, if you have left it till the last minute there are still buildings within easy walk of Pimlico which you can see by just turning up. I’ve linked each summary to a page of details including opening hours, likely queues, location, and a photo:
Jewel Tower
Jewel Tower
Jewel Tower
Built c1365 to house the treasures of Edward III and one of two surviving buildings of the original Palace of Westminster.
Portcullis House
Portcullis House contrasts its imposing facade with a generous light-filled courtyard covered by a glass roof at second level and surrounded by a 2-storey cloister. Extensive collection of parliamentary portraiture from Gilray to Scarfe. RIBA Award Winner.
Argentine Ambassador’s Residence
Known as the ‘Independent North Mansion’ and christened by Sydney Herbert as ‘Belgrave Villa’ and then simply ‘The Villa’ by his successor the 6th Duke of Richmond. Owned by Argentina since 1936 and with sumptuous interiors still intact.
Apsley House
London palace of the first Duke of Wellington. Regency interiors restored 1992-5, collection of war trophies and magnificent art collection.
Park Lane Hotel
London’s finest monument to Art Deco features original marble bathrooms, fireplaces and recently restored Grade I listed Ballroom.
former Conservative Club (HSBC offices)
Grand and monumental building with rich carvings and spectacular decorated saloon at its heart. Conserved and refurbished to replace 2 wings and provide new glazing to atrium at junction of new and old sites. Grade II* listed.
Mark Masons’ Hall
Fronted in stone, the style is ‘Grosvenor Hotel’ Italianate. Coarse foliage ornament fronts the building, the grand interiors adapted for Masonic use in the 1970s.
26 Whitehall (former Admiralty Buildings)
Grade I listed Old Admiralty Building, behind Robert Adam’s Admiralty Screen on Whitehall. Now owned by Cabinet Office; works of art and antiques from Ministry of Defence Art Collection.
Marlborough House
Originally home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and later of Edward VII and Queen Mary. Now HQ of the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation.
Horse Guards
Grade I listed beautifully-detailed Palladian composition at the heart of Whitehall, for a hundred years HQ of the British Army. Duke of Wellington’s office as it was c1842.
Banqueting House
Stunning and regal building originally part of Whitehall Palace, one of the first examples of the principles of Palladianism being applied to an English building. Ceiling paintings by Rubens.
Dover House, Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland
Elegant Whitehall facade and domed entrance commissioned by the Duke of York. Interesting original interiors.
India Office
India Office
Grade I listed Victorian government office buildings. Former India Office includes the magnificently decorated Durbar Court.
Methodist Central Hall Westminster
A masterpiece of Edwardian neo-baroque on a prominent site. Great Hall was the venue for the Inaugural General Assembly of the United Nations in 1946.
Channel Four Television
Transmission centre with curving high glass and steel entry atrium. RIBA Award Winner.
