Royal Academy of Arts

The Royal Academy of Arts, located at 6 Burlington Gardens in the City of Westminster, was built between 1866 and 1869 as the headquarters of the University of London. Designed by Sir James Pennethorne, the building features Portland stone and pink sandstone with a slate roof, showcasing a bold free Renaissance classicism style that is richly carved.

The structure consists of two tall storeys and a basement, with a main center block of seven bays flanked by square pavilion-towers, three-bay wings, and archways on either side. The centerpiece includes a projecting colonnaded portico that is accessed by balustrated steps. The upper storey is arcaded and supported by a giant order of Corinthian columns between the pavilion-towers, which have square attics that display a clock face and weathervane dial. The wings feature statues in niches on the ground storey and three-light windows above, articulated by Corinthian columns. The building is adorned with enriched cornices and balustraded parapets, with the portico topped by seated scientific figures and standing statues on the balustraded roof.

There are carriage archways on the east and west sides, with the eastern archway being partly blind. The returns are made of red and black brick and sandstone. Although the interior has been altered, it still retains a grand clerestory-lit central stairwell, hall, and landing, which are screened from the well by three large arches. The staircase rises one flight before dividing, and the first-floor ceilings feature ornate plasterwork.