Description:
The Mansion House, designed by George Dance the EIder, was first occupied in 1752. It was to be a home and workplace for the Lord Mayor of London during his year of office, with accommodation for entertainments and ceremonial events, and a magistrates' courtroom. Many changes have occurred over its 250 years of existence, but the building retained its original character with exceptionally fine interior decoration in a mixed Palladian and Rococo style. The last major repairs dated from 1930-31 and extensive work was needed to safeguard this historic building, while introducing improved living and working conditions for the occupants. The restoration included structural repair and necessary rebuilding, improvement or replacement of services, re-planning for more effective use of space and increased fire protection and means of escape. The interior was completely redecorated using traditional methods, including repair and conservation of the plasterwork, joinery, carving and stained glass, provision of new decorative finishes and repair of historic fittings and furniture. Before the restoration started painstaking preparatory work and research was undertaken. It made detailed information available, which provided the basis for a book that has been published on the history of the Mansion House, which will now continue to fulfill its original function.