History in Structure

Royal Academy of Arts

A Grade II* Listed Building in City of Westminster, London

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Coordinates

Latitude: 51.5097 / 51°30'35"N

Longitude: -0.1402 / 0°8'24"W

OS Eastings: 529163

OS Northings: 180619

OS Grid: TQ291806

Mapcode National: GBR DD.PZ

Mapcode Global: VHGQZ.J98Z

Plus Code: 9C3XGV55+VW

Entry Name: Royal Academy of Arts

Listing Date: 9 January 1970

Last Amended: 1 December 1987

Grade: II*

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1291018

English Heritage Legacy ID: 208940

ID on this website: 101291018

Location: St James's, Westminster, London, W1S

County: London

District: City of Westminster

Electoral Ward/Division: West End

Parish: Non Civil Parish

Built-Up Area: City of Westminster

Traditional County: Middlesex

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Greater London

Church of England Parish: St James Piccadilly

Church of England Diocese: London

Tagged with: Museum Building Italianate architecture

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Description


This List entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 06/03/2018


TQ 2980 NW; 70/33

CITY OF WESTMINSTER,
BURLINGTON GARDENS W1,
No. 6, The Royal Academy of Arts

(Formerly listed as: Ethnography Department of the British Museum; Previously listed as Civil Service Commission)

09.01.70

GV

II*

Built as the headquarters of the University of London, museum when surveyed.
1866-69 by Sir James Pennethorne. Portland stone and pink sandstone;
slate roof. Boldly modelled free Renaissance classicism, richly carved
and endowed with free standing statues sculpted by J. Durham, P.
MacDowell, W. Theed, E. W. Wyon, J. S. Westmacott, W. F. Woodington and
M. Noble. Two tall storeys and basement. Main centre block of seven bays
with flanking square pavilion-towers, 3-bay wings and flanking archways.
The centrepiece has a projecting colonnaded portico approached by
balustrated steps at sides. Arcaded upper storey with giant order
of Corinthian columns between the pavilion-towers which have square
attics bearing clock face and weathervane dial. The wings have statues
in niches to ground storey and 3-light windows above articulated by
Corinthian columns. Enriched cornices and balustraded parapets. The
portico surmounted by seated scientific worthies and standing figures
of same on the balustraded roof parapet. Carriage archways to east
and west, the former partly blind. Returns of red and black brick
and sandstone. Although altered the interior retains grand clerestory-
lit central stairwell, hall and landing each being screened from well
by three large arches. The stairs rise one flight and then divide.
Ornate plasterwork to 1st-floor ceilings etc.

Survey of London; vol XXXII


Listing NGR: TQ2916380619

External Links

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