Alongside the Theatre or Library, the Georgian room acts as a breakout space or event venue in it's own right.
The Georgian Room has a classical aesthetic, in keeping with our Mayfair location. More intimate than the Library, the Georgian Room is a perfect breakout area for a corporate conference, or a drinks reception venue and private dining space. With its fine marble fireplace and tall bookcases, this event space is full of character and is steeped in the history of the Royal Institution.
Gallery
History & Heritage
Alongside the sweeping Grand Staircase, the Georgian Room is the oldest interior space at the Royal Institution.
Before the 1890s, the Georgian Room was a part of 20 Albemarle Street (which was a hotel before it became a private residence), when it was gifted to the Royal Institution by pioneering chemist Ludwig Mond. The décor in the Georgian Room dates back to this period, with the only significant change being the addition of the door between the Georgian Room and the Library, bringing together 20 and 21 Albemarle Street.
The Georgian Room fireplace is one of the most important pieces of décor in the Royal Institution, linking directly back to our founding. Before its life at the Royal Institution, the fireplace was in the drawing room at 32 Soho Square, which was the home of Sir Joseph Banks, an English naturalist and botanist who was the official botanist of James Cook's expedition between 1768–1771 visiting Brazil, Tahiti and Australia.
But, most importantly for us, Sir Joseph Banks was also a founding member of the Royal Institution, and it was in his drawing room at 32 Soho Square on the 7th March 1799, that the first meeting of the Royal Institution took place, which means the Georgian Room fireplace was there at the very start of the Royal Institution, and is still with us today.
