1951

Royal Festival Hall

Image source: serendipityproject.wordpress.com

A 2,700-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre. The first post-war building to be protected with a Grade 1 Listing, in 1981.

The project was led by London County Council's then chief architect, Robert Matthew, with a young team of talented designers including Leslie Martin, who was eventually to lead the project.

Built on the site of the former Lion Brewery, the foundation stone was laid in 1949 and the building was officially opened on 3 May 1951.

A London Inheritance has a splendid post about the construction of the RFH, with lots of historic photos.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Royal Festival Hall

Commemorated ati

Clement Attlee - Royal Festival Hall

This film shows what looks like a time capsule being buried, and Attlee layin...

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Other Subjects

Nicolai Legat

Dancer. Born in St Petersburg, Russia. He joined the ballet company of the Mariinsky Theatre in 1888 and later became balletmaster. His pupils included Anna Pavlova, and Vaslav Nijinsky. He left Ru...

Person, Dance, France, Russia

1 memorial

Dame Margot Fonteyn

Prima ballerina assoluta. Born Reigate as Margaret Hookham. As a child lived for a time in Shanghai. Her stage name was based on "Fontes" the name of her mother's paternal family, wealthy Brazilia...

Person, Dance, Seriously Famous, China/Hong Kong, Panama

3 memorials

Jessie Matthews, OBE

Actor, singer and dancer. Born into a large family in Berwick Street. Made her name in theatre and in the 30's was Britain's favourite musical film star. Post-war her career flagged but in 1963 s...

Person, Cinema, Dance, Music / songs, Theatre, TV & Radio

2 memorials

William H. Heath

Mayor of Wandsworth 1936/37 and ballroom dancer. The cutting in our photograph is dated 24/8/1937, so we presume Mrs Heath was still around, and happy for him and Nellie Wood to go off together!

Person, Dance, Politics & Administration, Austria

1 memorial

Sir Frederick Ashton

Ballet dancer and choreographer. Born Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He studied under Léonide Massine and Marie Rambert, and was chief choreographer to Ninette de Valoi...

Person, Dance, Seriously Famous, Ecuador

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Sir Ralph Abercromby

Soldier and politician. Born Clackmannanshire, Scotland. Lieutenant-general in the army. Served in the Napoleonic Wars. Died following a hit at a battle, a victory, near Alexandria.

Person, Armed Forces, Politics & Administration, Egypt, Scotland

1 memorial

St Dunstan's College

In 1466 the school attached to the church of St Dunstan in the East was one of the five recognised grammar schools in the City of London. In 1888 this boys independent school was moved out to Catfo...

Building, Education

1 memorial

Fire Brigades Union

From their website: "The FBU is one of the UK’s oldest specialist trade unions, with a proud history. Since 1918 the union has supported firefighters, influenced fire safety policy and won improved...

Group, Community / Clubs, Emergency Services

7 memorials

Erasmus Wilson F.R.S

Surgeon, dermatologist and philanthropist. Born Marylebone High Street. Died at home in Kent.

Person, Medicine, Philanthropy

1 memorial

Frederick Parslow, VC

Born Islington. Mercantile marine, Captain of the SS Anglo-Californian. Died in a German submarine attack off the Irish coast. His son, also Frederick, who was on the ship as the second mate, took...

Person, Armed Forces, Transport

War dead, WW1

1 memorial