B U I L D I N G A P P E A L
Through a generous donation, we were given the indefinite use of 35a South St, a Grade II* building also in Mayfair. The building is currently dilapidated, and we need £330,000 to refurbish it. We have raised £150,000 and need to raise the remaining £180,000.
New building donated
LIMS’ original premises were at 22 South Audley St. As the number of scientists and staff increased, and with
additional government and private investment, we began our campaign to find a
new, larger building. In a generous show of support for LIMS and its work, the
china merchant and benefactor Thomas Goode and Co. donated the use of 35a South St, Mayfair for an indefinite period.
Architectural merits
35a South St is a stand alone, five-floor building built in the mid-18th century. It is one of only 66 Grade II* listed buildings in Mayfair. Acquired by Goode in the 19th century, it is now part of the their estate. The historic importance of these
buildings, of which 35a is the oldest, was assessed by Heritage Architecture, who wrote “the Thomas Goode premises is probably the only remaining purpose built store in
Mayfair that is still occupied by the original company, and one of few such in
London...”.
35a South St, Mayfair.
In need of refurbishment
35a South Street is not used for retail, and has over recent decades fallen into
disuse. “No. 35a, which is the oldest building in the group, is in extremely poor
condition...mostly due to [past use] that is totally incompatible with the
building’s quality”, writes Heritage Architecture. LIMS intends to refurbish 35a in a way that both respects the building’s architectural merits and befits a theoretical research institute.
Original first-floor beams.
Plans for refurbishment
LIMS’ architects, Donald Insall, have worked on some of the UK’s most distinguished buildings, including Windsor Castle, the Royal Albert Hall
and Trinity College, Cambridge. LIMS is working with Westminster Council, English Heritage and Donald Insall to “structurally stabilise the building, repair the damage caused to its historic
fabric,…and reinstate the 18th-century plan on the upper floors. The proposed work will thus enhance the
historic interest of this listed building,” (Donald Insall).
Architect’s plan for the interior.
Benefits and anticipated outcomes
Once completed, the new premises at 35a South St will house approximately 30 full- and part-time scientists and staff, three times as many as before. It
will be able to host conferences for 50 at a time, allowing LIMS to host hundreds of researchers each year. In addition
to offices, there will be a seminar room for conferences, a guest room for
visiting Fellows and a kitchen/coffee area for exchanging ideas.
Renovated basement office.
Revised layout
The research space will reflect the building’s original layout as follows:
Floor
-1
0
1
2
3
Status
Partly done
Done
Not done
Not done
Not done
Intended use after refurbishment
Kitchen, research area for postdocs
Reception and seminar room
Grants, legal, development
Research area for Fellows
Research area for Fellows, guest room
Renovated ground floor bay window.