Behold the Queen’s Tower. It rises 287 feet above Imperial College’s South Kensington Campus. The tower’s story is one of architectural vision, near demolition, and public outcry.
Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887 spurred the Imperial Institute’s founding. The Imperial Institute’s central tower was the Queen’s Tower. T E Collcutt designed the Imperial Institute in the neo-renaissance style. It featured a central tower and smaller towers at each end. The Institute included libraries, laboratories, and exhibition galleries. Construction lasted six years and the Institute finally opened in 1893.
Fast forward to the mid-20th century. Expansion plans threatened the Imperial Institute. Demolition loomed, and the Queen’s Tower was also at risk. Poet Laureate John Betjeman championed its preservation. He argued that architectural tastes change. Demolishing the Queen’s Tower would be a great loss.
The public rallied to Betjeman’s cause. The Queen’s Tower was saved while the rest of the Imperial Institute came down. The demolition began in 1957 and lasted until 1967.
Between 1966 and 1968, workers built massive foundations. They substantially rebuilt the lower portion of the Queen’s Tower. This ensured the tower could stand alone.
Look closely at the tower’s base. See the two stone lions? They once guarded the Imperial Institute’s entrance. Their siblings now reside at the Commonwealth Institute in Holland Park.
Inside the Queen’s Tower, a climb of 324 steps awaits. Spiral staircases lead to the base of the copper-covered dome.
About two-thirds of the way up, you find the belfry. It houses the Alexandra Peal. These ten bells are named after Queen Victoria and her family. Mrs. Elizabeth M. Millar gifted them in 1892. The bells ring on royal anniversaries. They also ring during Imperial College degree ceremonies.
Imagine the view from the viewing gallery below the dome. You can see the top of the Albert Memorial above the Royal Albert Hall. The Queen’s Tower offers an uninterrupted view of London. On a clear day, you can see for 20 miles. Sadly, the viewing gallery is currently closed to visitors.
Note the dome’s internal wooden structure. It’s a fine example of Victorian craftsmanship. Inscriptions on the upper stone cornice list the builders’ names.
In 2022, restoration work began on the Queen’s Tower. The masonry is being repaired. The copper roof is being replaced after a masonry failure. The restoration is expected to take two years.
Today, Imperial College London proudly owns the Queen’s Tower. It stands as a testament to architectural preservation. It also honors Queen Victoria’s legacy. It is a landmark visible from across London.