Five things you didn’t know about Celesta Venues

Positioned among central London’s world-class arts and science hubs, next door to the Science, Natural History and V&A Museums, across from the Royal Albert Hall, it may seem like sheer luck that Imperial finds itself positioned in such an enviable location.

1. Our prime position isn’t just a coincidence

It was Prince Albert’s idea to use the profits of the Great Exhibition of 1851, a Victorian global fair of culture and industry, to develop a world-class cultural and educational quarter for science and the arts in South Kensington. This plan along Exhibition Road would include museums and scientific and arts educational institutions. In 1887, Queen Victoria herself laid the foundation stone and opened what was to become one of London’s finest academic venues, you guessed it, Imperial Venues.

2.Imperial isn’t what it used to be

With a history spanning 150 years, Imperial Venues’ architecture has been transformed over the years. The College’s need to expand and modernise its learning spaces ultimately led to the redevelopment of nearly all the Victorian-era buildings in the 1950’s. As a result, Imperial Venues is home to an extensive array of great London venues, including period, classic and cutting-edge spaces, each with their own unique story.

3. There’s more to Imperial Venues than meets the eye

In addition to classrooms and lecture theatres, we offer a series of unexpected and unique venues with a story to tell…

• The Queen’s Tower Room and Terrace located at the heart of Imperial’s South Kensington campus is a charming venue which overlooks Imperial’s historic central tower known as the Queen’s Tower, built in 1887 and designed by T. E. Collcutt in the neo-renaissance style. At 287 feet tall, topped by a copper dome and visible across London, the Queen’s Tower is one of the few remaining original campus structures and a unique backdrop to any event. This bright space, offering floor-to-ceiling windows, accommodates up to 640 guests, offering an ideal setting for conferences, gala dinners and exhibitions.
• The Royal School of Mines dates from 1909 and was designed by architect Sir Aston Webb, best known for redesigning Buckingham Palace and the V&A Museum. The building is now home to one of the world’s leading centres for the study of Geoscience. The Royal School of Mines offers a set of traditional classrooms and classic meeting rooms suitable for seminars, brainstorming sessions and more. The ground floor boasts an impressive reception area with original central staircase and period features, with the entrance conveniently accessible from Prince Consort Road. The building has its own distinct style and has been featured in several films.
• Imperial’s Main Entrance and Business School was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. The landmark building, designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners, provides a highly-visible entrance to the College on Exhibition Road leading to the Imperial College Business School. This splendid building on one of London’s greatest thoroughfares houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and classrooms in a ‘drum’ shaped metal core. Dramatic and modern, this versatile open plan venue is ideal for high-profile events and has previously hosted conferences, exhibitions and formal receptions for up to 150 people.
• The Sir Alexander Fleming Building opened in 1998 by Queen Elizabeth II provides purpose-built headquarters for the College’s medical and biomedical research. Designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners, it received a Royal Institute of British Architects award in 1999. The large lecture theatres and bright and airy foyer are a desirable combination for conferences requiring catering space and small exhibition areas. Alongside those spaces, there are also breakout rooms adjacent to the hall and main entrance of the building. The building also houses an impressive installation by Danish artist Per Arnoldi in its atrium.

4. There’s also a listed Victorian Townhouse on campus…

4The Entrance to 170 Queen’s Gate Grade II Listed Townhouse – The initials of the first owner Frederick Anthony White, and his wife may be seen on the rainwater heads on the south facade, and the White family crest forms part of the decoration of the entrance

Completed in 1889, designed by one of the most important English architects of the 19th century, Norman Shaw, 170 Queens Gate is a Grade II listed Victorian townhouse venue, and an important example of English domestic architecture of its period. In 1962, it was adapted for use by the College’s Governing Body with provision for the Rector’s Lodging and now offers four stunning rooms with restored period features and private courtyard garden designed by English landscape architect and designer Dame Sylvia Crowe.

This elegant venue is the perfect setting for a variety of events including; formal receptions, meetings and training sessions. The ground floor can also be used as a whole, making it ideal for conferences and larger events.

5. We have a distinct talent

As an industry-leading event and accommodation venue for the academic and educational vacation market, we know how to deliver the best educational experiences. With the help of our expert team, our vast array of contemporary event spaces can be designed to suit a multitude of event types. Deliver memorable experiences with our selection of bespoke in-house services, including catering, audio-visual facilities and event support. Our excellent central location, together with our portfolio of award-winning events, position Imperial Venues as a leading choice when selecting your next event space.

To explore our events spaces or to discuss your specific requirements, please get in touch with our team.