Arguably London’s most iconic performance venue, the Royal Albert Hall first opened in 1871. Forming part of the Prince Albert memorial space next to Kensington Gardens, this impressive feat of architecture has become synonymous with the Proms, which have been performed at the venue for almost every year since 1941.
The building’s distinctive shape, reminiscent of a Roman amphitheatre, was designed by Francis Fowke and Henry Y.D. Scott, and built by Lucas Brothers. Taking influence from the Italianate design trends of late Victorian England, the Hall has impressive arched windows and friezes on the outside. It was originally intended to be named The Central Hall of Arts and Sciences, but Queen Victoria instead named it after her late husband, who had raised the funds for the building with profits from the 1851 Great Exhibition.
The Hall has gone through a number of renovations since its opening, including work in 1969 to vastly improve the venue’s acoustics. Most recently, Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England funded work between 1996 and 2004 saw thirty smaller projects completed to bring the Hall into the 21st century. These included improved ventilation, seating, technical facilities and backstage areas; new bars and restaurants; and a redesign of the Circle seating to make it more comfortable for audiences.
Now a world-renowned performance and events hub, the Royal Albert Hall continues to be one of the capital’s most diverse venues, with rock concerts, variety performances, classical orchestras and more gracing the stage.
