Development history In 2000 the exhibitions inside the building were removed and ownership was transferred to a newly founded Trust. Due to the state of disrepair, works were undertaken at this time including, repair of the roof and re-cladding the exterior curtain wall.
In 2001 the original sheet copper roofing was replaced with long strip copper sheets.
In 2002 the Institute was fully closed as the Commonwealth Institute undertook to dispose of the building and site. The main exhibition space has since remained vacant.
In 2004 the Commonwealth Institute applied for a review of the building’s listing, with a view to its removal from the statutory list. This application was, however, refused by the Department of Culture Media and Sport and a review of the building’s list description was undertaken, placing lesser interest on the administration and conference building.
Development Challenges
• 20 years of failed attempts to reuse the building
• The physical characteristics of the building mean that the cost of adaptation is high
• Significant technical constraints make reuse complex and difficult
• The ability to fund and implement upgrades beyond the means of most potential occupiers
• 2007/8 marketing exercise by Savills confirmed that existing site constraints continue to restrict options for potential users