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Affectionately known as The Schoolhouse, the building was orginally constructed between 1825–1828 by architect John Peter Gandy in the Greek Revival style, the building formed part of St Mark’s, a schoolhouse and church complex built to serve the spiritual and educational needs of Mayfair’s growing 19th-century population. In 1878, the building underwent significant Romanesque alterations by Arthur Blomfield, further enhancing its distinctive character.

Derelict for more than a decade, this striking example of civic architecture has been sensitively restored and reimagined.

Located on the Grosvenor Estate, the site sits between two major landmarks of public sculpture: Gilbert Bayes’ Queen of Time, poised above Selfridges, and Antony Gormley’s Room, a sculptural suite at the Beaumont Hotel. The building later became part of the Central London Polytechnic, known for its applied educational focus on subjects such as engineering, photography, and the sciences. This spirit of applied knowledge and material exploration underpins our vision for the future of the gallery.

The transformation of the space was led Carver Haggard as architects, alongside EC1’s specialistbuilding team, working closely with the gallery to restore and celebrate the building’s original character. 

Key historical features including rediscovered Victorian tiles, coal drops, and gas fittings will be preserved, while salvaged elements such as a 1980s mahogany staircase will be imaginatively repurposed into a floating staircase, serving as an architectural focal point on the ground floor. Throughout, original floors, reclaimed bathrooms, and bespoke commissions by artists and designers will reflect the ethos of the Arts and Crafts movement, which championed material integrity, social purpose, and the dignity of making—an enduring inspiration for the gallery’s Founder and Creative Director, Sarah Myerscough.