£15

Members are invited to join us for a private tour of 20 St James’s Square led by Jerome Flinders, Associate at James Gorst Architects. 20 St. James’s Square is an eighteenth century townhouse of national importance designed by Robert Adam, one of Britain’s most important architects. John Summerson wrote:

“[20 St James’s Square is one of four surviving Robert Adam houses] of capital importance… These… represent perhaps, the highest point of imagination and artistry in the handling of the London house.” – Georgian London

Completed in 1775, it contains a series of Robert Adam archetypes including a highly original floorplan, immaculately decorated interiors and a celebrated seventeen metre Great Stair Hall. Commissioned by the infamous Welsh aristocrat, taste-maker and patron of the arts Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, it remained in the family until the its sale in the 1930s to the Distillers company who have used it as an office ever since.

The grand rooms are in excellent condition but a large extension in 1936 and various inconsiderate twentieth century alterations have left the secondary spaces in a state of considerable disrepair. Detracting piecemeal alterations include a steel and glass walkway oversailing the oval rooflight that is visible from the Great Stair Hall.

James Gorst Architects has specialised in the considerate adaptation of historic buildings for over 40 years and this will be the practice’s third Robert Adam house renovation. The practice was appointed to sensitively remove detracting elements, extend and tidy a confused and disordered roofscape, provide elegant facilities and seamlessly weave in the necessary infrastructure required to provide high quality office accommodation. The project architect Jerome Flinders, Associate has spent the last 5 years working exclusively on Robert Adam houses. Planning permission was granted on 20 July 2022.

This event is for members and Young Georgian members only.

If tickets have sold out for this event, please email members@georgiangroup.org.uk to be added to the waiting list.