Royal Institution

The Royal Institution, located at 26 Colquitt Street, is a house that was built between 1797 and 1799 and underwent some alterations in the 19th century. It is constructed of red brick with stone dressings. The main part of the building is a three-storey, five-bay center block, with the central three bays projecting forward. There are two-storey, three-bay pavilions on either side, with the central bay of each also breaking forward. The building features connecting walls with stone niches on the sill bands, stone panels above, and top balustrading. The stone basement has a flat band over the ground floor and a sill band at the first floor for the three central bays. The windows have cut-brick flat arches and are sash windows with glazing bars, although there are some blind windows on the right pavilion.

A central projecting Doric porch is present, with an architrave that includes the inscription "ROYAL INSTITUTION." The entrance to No. 26 features a stucco architrave and a complete fanlight. The property has plain iron area railings with two lamp standards. A rainwater head on the left return of the main block is dated 1800 and features a lion mask.

Inside, there are some 18th-century and early 19th-century decorations, including mantelpieces. The entrance hall is small and vaulted, with double mahogany doors and an original semi-circular fanlight. This hall also displays panels with the names of the original silver ticket holders of the Institution. Originally built as a residence and office for Thomas Parr, the building became the Royal Institution in 1817.