UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
The building of Senate House
In its first century of existence the University moved between a succession of temporary homes, each of which it quickly outgrew. The decision was finally taken to provide what had become the world’s largest University with a purpose-built, permanent home. A large parcel of land located behind the British Museum in the central London district of Bloomsbury was purchased from the Duke of Bedford’s estate. The architect Charles Holden, who designed many of London’s Underground stations, was appointed in February 1931 and construction work began in 1932. On 26 June 1933, King George V laid the foundation stone and the building was occupied in 1936. At 209 feet, it was the tallest secular building in the capital.
In 2011 Senate House celebrated its 75th anniversary.
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