Herbert Baker was appointed architect to the Bank of England in 1921. Despite having never built a bank, nor being familiar with the City of London, Baker was selected by the Rebuilding Committee on the basis of his reputation and merit, unlike many of his predecessors who had had prior connections to the Bank.
An example of preservation modernism, his design was deemed controversial by many at the time. It is now registered as a Grade 1 listed monument, and remains protected under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.
An interior shot taken towards the end of the end of the rebuilding work. This photograph shows the completed ground floor corridor that runs parallel to Bartholomew Road, including mosaics designed by Boris Anrep and a sculpted ceiling. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/100, May 1933)
This interior photograph shows the beautiful sculpted ceiling of the main south corridor which runs along the second floor, looking east. At the end of the corridor, double doors with a ‘Chief Cashier’ sign can be seen. (Archive 15A13/1/1/59/22, 1933)
The interior third floor vestibule looking west towards the main staircase. A mosaic of a lion, as designed by Boris Anrep, can be seen on the floor. (Archive 15A13/1/1/59/10, 1933)
A close-up photograph taken in 1933 which shows detail of the bronze railings that adorn the first floor balcony, and feature two lion figures. (Archive 15A13/1/1/59/23, 1933)
This photograph shows the detail of the portico sculptures which adorn the front of the Bank of England. These were designed by Charles Wheeler, R.A, along with many other sculptures that feature in Herbert Baker’s Bank. (Archive reference 15A13/1/2/17, 1933)
The Bank of England’s famous cantilever staircase, looking upwards. When constructed at 165 feet, it was reputed to have been the longest in Europe! (Archive 15A13/1/1/59/26, 1939)
Taken in 1945, this photograph looks across the steps of the Royal Exchange at Bank junction towards the south front of the Bank of England. (Archive reference 15A13/1/2/28, 1945)
Garden Court looking west. Over the last century, Herbert Baker’s reincarnation of the Bank’s garden has been home to landmark events including the first visit by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, Nelson Mandela in 1996, and receptions held to mark the Tercentenary of the Bank in 1994. (Archive 15A13/1/1/68/41, c.1949)
An elevated view of the front of Threadneedle Street from the south west looking across Bank junction. (Archive reference 15A13/1/2/14, 1955)
This page was last updated 17 February 2023