Westminster Council House and Library, Marylebone Road, London

Type of Project: Limited Significance Appraisal & Options Analysis

Date: October 2007

Client: Westminster City Council through Knight Frank LLP

Special Interest: In 1797 a row of individual residences collectively named Salisbury Place were located on the site where Westminster Council House and Library stand today. The Architect, Edwin Cooper, designed the Council House. The anticipated opening was 1914; however, the building was commandeered for Government purposes during the First World War and only released from active service in 1919. In 1920 Prince Albert opened the building.

Scope of Professional Services:
Heritage Architecture Ltd were commissioned to undertake the following:

• APPRAISAL OF SIGNIFICANCE: Heritage Architecture Ltd undertook limited historical research and compiled background information regarding the significance of the Westminster Council House and Library to inform Westminster City Council’s future office accommodation strategy. The appraisal identified those parts of the Main Building and Annex that were of considerable or high significance.
• OPTIONS ANALYSIS: Heritage Architecture Ltd undertook a limited appraisal of significance in relation to the Westminster Council House and Library and provided conservation advice to enable the appointed architects to appreciate the nature and extent of the buildings that may be available for redevelopment/alteration for alternative uses. We also undertook a high-level assessment of the likely impact of a range of development options on the special interest of the listed buildings.