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© Mr Anthony Rau
IoE Number:
208514
Location:
THE ROYAL INSTITUTION, 21 ALBEMARLE STREET W1
WESTMINSTER, CITY OF WESTMINSTER, GREATER LONDON
Photographer:
Mr Anthony Rau
Date Photographed:
07 January 2005
Date listed:
24 February 1958
Date of last amendment:
24 February 1958
Grade
I
The Images of England website consists of images of listed buildings based on the statutory list as it was in 2001 and does not incorporate subsequent amendments to the list. For the statutory list and information on the current listed status of individual buildings please go to The National Heritage List for England.
TQ 2880 NE, CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALBEMARLE STREET W1
2980 NW
69/144 ; 70/21
24.2.58 No 21 (The Royal
Institution)
GV I
Originally a terraced town house acquired for the Royal Institution in
1799. Built in 1756, brick, 3 storeys, 12 bays and then only one bay
deep. Altered for Institution by Thomas Webster in 1799 and then in
1838 given a commensurately grand front by Lewis Vulliamy - regularised
as 13 bays and rendered with a screen of giant engaged fluted
Corinthian columns, on low pedestals, through the 3 storeys. Plain
central square headed doorway with cornice on consoles. Revealed
glazing bar sash windows, flat arches. Deep crowning entablature
with projecting cornice. Stone balustraded area. The interior
altered for the Institution by Webster with George Saunders as
consultant: the staircase up to 1st floor retained from mid-C18
house, stone with wrought iron balustrade returned to galleried
landing (plasterwork to walls and ceiling of 1928); semicircular
shaped lecture theatre of c. 1800 with gallery; 'Conversation Room'
(i.e. Scientific Gentleman's Library); Faraday's magnetic laboratory;
statuary marble chimneypiece etc. Otherwise numerous alterations
and embellishments in 1928-30 by Rome Guthrie. Association with
Humphrey Davy and Michael Faraday etc.