Change to arrangements for staff during the temporary closure of 66 Portland Place
On 17 March 2025, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) signed a license agreement with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to use the Jerwood Centre offices on its site when RIBA staff vacate their London headquarters at 66 Portland Place, which will temporarily close for refurbishment with a scheme by Benedetti Architects that is currently in planning. However, arrangements for staff have now changed.
RIBA CEO Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick said:
'The licence agreement was approved by both RIBA and RCP boards in good faith, and we were assured that all necessary permissions had been received by RCP. Due to circumstances beyond RIBA’s control the RCP is unable to keep to its commitment and we are now exploring contingency plans to ensure suitable working arrangements for staff, and locations for the events we had planned to hold at the RCP.
Beyond the already announced operating pause for RIBA Venues, the café and physical bookshop, we'd like to assure all RIBA members and the public that when 66 Portland Place closes to them from 1 June, this change of plans for our staff working arrangements will have no impact on our services and it is business as usual.'