Description

TQ 2881 NE CITY OF WESTMINSTER PORTLAND PLACE, W1
45/23 (east side)
14.9.70 Nos. 66 and 68: THE ROYAL
Institute of British Architects
(R,I.B.A)
- II*
Institute. 1932-34 by G. Grey Wornum as the result of a competition.
Steel framed and reinforced concrete construction clad in Portland stone;
flat roof. Deep rectangular plan filling 2 original house plots back to
mews. Scandinavian influenced Neo Classicism with carefully proportioned
and restrained use of formal and sculptural details emphasising
institutional character whilst respecting the overall scale of the C.18
Portland Place; plain annexe front to north, 3 storeys (with blind 3rd
floor) and set back attic storey, the annexe with 6 storeys in the same
height, on basement. 3 windows wide with 11-window return; 3 window
annexe. Broad square headed doorway centred in rusticated ground floor
with bold simply moulded architrave surround; large double bronze relief
doors by James Woodford, flanked by free-standing -sculptured monoliths.
Through storey large window above doorway in architrave surround rising
into blind 3rd floor level with shallow relief figure carved above.
Flanking bays have tall 1st floor windows, shorter 2nd floor ones and
square ones to 4th floor,all with shallow architrave mouldings. Plat band
finishing off ground floor rustication. Bold sharply profiled crowning
cornice. Plain set back attic storey. Weymouth Street return has outer
windows wider spaced from chain range of 9, similar details to flanking
windows on front but with continuous bronze balcony to 2nd floor and the
blind 3rd floor with figured bas-relief panels by B. Copnall. The annexe
has similar plain fenestration but with 2 storeys of windows in the double
height of main block 1st floor separated by balconettes and plain square
windows in 4th floor. Bronze area railings to annexe and Weymouth Street.
Fine unaltered interior by Wornum and his wife with high standard of
finishes and intact fittings; grand central staircase going across to
lecture and memorial halls; excellent use of ornamental engraved and
frosted glass; galleried library, etc.
Britain in the Thirties; A.D. Profile

Listing NGR: TQ2879381885

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• 66 Portland Place at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17549828

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Lancashire: Manchester and the South-East (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living