Designed by British architect Charles Holden, who is also credited with the design of many of London’s Underground stations, Senate House was created be the headquarters of the University of London.
The landmark Art Deco building is one of the few buildings in London to boast original 1930s features. King George V laid the foundation stone in June 1933 and the building welcomed its first occupants in 1936.
Senate House, consisting of 19 floors and standing 210 feet (64m) high, was the tallest secular building in Britain on completion. It was constructed of the finest materials then available. It was listed as Grade II* in 1969. During the Second World War, Senate House was home to the Ministry of Information and inspired George Orwell’s description of the Ministry of Truth in his novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.
Senate House is also the home to the world-famous Senate House Library which holds one of the world’s largest humanities collections.