About the RIBA
1. What is 66 Portland Place used for? |
2. Do I have to be a member to hire rooms?|
3. When was the building designed and built?|
Location and transport links
4. Where is the RIBA located?|
5. Where are your nearest underground stations?|
6. Where are your nearest mainline stations?|
7. Are you on or near any bus routes?|
8. Is there any parking at the RIBA?|
9. Is the RIBA within the congestion charge area?|
Audio visual services
10. Can you supply audio visual services?|
11. Can we bring our own AV equipment?|
12. What equipment is included in the room hire charge?|
13. Can we email presentations to you prior to our meetings?|
14. How large are your projection screens?|
15. Can you provide WiFi access?|
16. Can you record our event?|
User access
17. Do you have user-friendly access?|
18. Do you have induction loops available?|
19. Is the building DDA compliant?|
20. Are there disabled parking spaces near the RIBA?|
Conference facilities including set-up and deliveries
21. How many meeting rooms are there at the RIBA? |
22. How do I book a room at the RIBA?|
23. Do you require a deposit to confirm a booking?|
24. Is it possible to smoke at the RIBA?
|25. Do you have a cloakroom if clients wish to leave large luggage or coats?
|26. Can you supply images of the RIBA if we wish to include them on our invitations and literature?|
27. What signage can I use for our event? |
28. Can I have a registration desk in the RIBA reception? |
29. Do you offer a half-day room hire charge? |
30. Can we come and view your facilities?|
31. Are there any hotels local to the RIBA? |
32. Are any of your conference rooms air-conditioned?|
33. Do you offer charity discounts?|
34. From what time can we hire the rooms?|
35. Do you offer day delegate rates?|
36. Can we deliver delegate packs and signage before our conference?|
37. Do you have a delivery entrance and lift for large goods?|
38. Do you have room plans and measurements?|
39. Can people contact me at your venue?|
40. Can we hire the RIBA for film shoots?|
41. Are there any events which can not be held at the RIBA?|
Wedding receptions, celebrations and parties
42. Do you have a civil wedding licence?|
43. Can we have weddings and parties on any day of the week?|
44. What is the maximum number of guests for a seated dinner/standing reception?|
45. Do you offer wedding packages?|
46. Can we provide our own entertainment and decorations?|
47. Are we allowed candles?|
48. What are your opening hours?|
49. Can we leave presents at your venue?|
Catering
50. Which caterers are used at the RIBA?|
51. When are final catering numbers due?|
52. Can we do a food tasting?|
53. What time does the bar close?|
54. How many glasses of wine can be poured from each bottle?|
55. Can we supply our own wine?|
56. Can we only have the dishes listed in your menu?|
57. Can we use our own caterers?|
58. Is there anywhere else other than the conference rooms where delegates can eat?|
59. Can you cater for delegates with special dietary requirements?|
About the RIBA
1. What is 66 Portland Place used for?
The building is the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects and houses an extensive architecture bookshop|, a restaurant| with outdoor terrace|, galleries hosting exhibitions, and is home to one of the finest architectural libraries |in the world. Our rooms| - from small meeting rooms to grand halls - can be hired out for functions, conferences, seminars, celebrations| and parties.
2. Do I have to be a member to hire rooms?
No. Members of the public can hire our rooms; however, RIBA members benefit from a discount on room hire charges.
3. When was the building designed and built?
Our HQ is a fine Grade II listed building and a classic example of early 1930s building. It was designed by Grey Wornum and was the winning entry of a competition open to all British architects to design a new head office. Completed in 1934, it was opened by King George V and Queen Mary.
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Location and transport links
4. Where is the RIBA located?
At 66 Portland Place, which is in central London|, approximately seven minutes from Oxford Circus and three minutes from Great Portland Street and Regents Park Underground stations. For further details please visit our Location| page.
5. Where are your nearest underground stations?
Great Portland Street station for the Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City lines is a four-minute walk away. Regents Park for the Bakerloo Line is five minutes from the RIBA. Oxford Circus is seven minutes away and allows access to the Bakerloo, Victoria and Central lines.
6. Where are your nearest mainline stations?
The national rail stations of Paddington, Euston and King's Cross are all nearby and just a few minutes journey by taxi. All other London termini are within easy reach by underground or taxi. To check the latest national rail information visit http://www.nationalrail.co.uk|. You can book tickets for any national rail journey at http://www.thetrainline.com|.
7. Are you on or near any bus routes?
Buses on routes 453, 88 and C2 all travel through Portland Place. If you would like further information or assistance planning your journey please go to: www.tfl.gov.uk/buses/|.
8. Is there any parking at the RIBA?
Due to its central location the RIBA does not have any designated parking spaces. We are situated within a controlled parking area with parking meters available in the streets around the RIBA. Details of parking near the RIBA can be found at www.masterpark.org.uk| or www.ncp.co.uk|. To view spaces in the area reserved for Blue Badge holders on a map please visit bluebadge.direct.gov.uk|.
9. Is the RIBA within the congestion charge area?
Yes. You can pay the congestion charge either in advance or on the day of travel before, during or after your journey. For details of where and how to pay the congestion charge please access: http://www.cclondon.com/howtopay.shtml|.
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Audio Visual Services
10. Can you supply audio visual services?
We have an in-house AV department |and can supply the majority of equipment required for conferences in-house. If specialist equipment is required we will source it from one of our experienced suppliers.
11. Can we bring our own AV equipment?
No. Clients are not allowed to bring in their own equipment, with the exception of laptops. If you wish to hire in specialised equipment such as audience polling systems that we do not have on site, we request that you liaise with our AV technicians to ensure we can provide adequate power supplies.
12. What equipment is included in the room hire charge?
No equipment is included as we find that many of our clients do not require equipment and therefore feel it is unfair to increase our prices and include AV as standard. To view prices for AV equipment please download the pdf below.
13. Can we email presentations to you prior to our meetings?
If you are hiring a laptop from us or wish to have a back-up version of your presentation on site please email any documents to av@riba.org|. Please be aware that large files can often take time to come through our IT system.
14. How large are your projection screens?
In the Florence Hall |the screen is 4m x 3m. The screen in the Jarvis Hall |is 5m x 4m. In all our other conference rooms the screen size is 2.13m square. If you require a larger screen please let us know and we will hire one for you.
15. Can you provide Wifi access?
Yes. We have free Wifi throughout the building, please ask for the password on the day of your meeting.
16. Can you record our event?
Yes. Our AV department can capture the audio from your event in many different digital formats, either edited or unedited. We can also film your event - please contact the AV team |for further details. There is a charge for these services. Please notify us of this requirement prior to your event.
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User-friendly access
17. Do you have user-friendly access?
We have lift access to all our conference rooms and also to the disabled toilet. As we are an old Grade II listed building we do have narrow lift entrances of 71cm wide, which some motorised wheelchairs cannot fit through; however, we do have non-motorised wheelchairs available to borrow onsite.
18. Do you have induction loops available?
We have in-built induction loops in the Jarvis Hall|, Florence Hall |and Council Chamber|. We have portable systems for use in all our other conference rooms. Please notify us in advance if you will require the use of any of our induction loops.
19. Is the building DDA compliant?
We have recently upgraded our lift panels and added a voice synthesiser for visually impaired clients using the lifts. We also have mobile ramps to ensure that all public areas are accessible. In addition, we are also in the process of upgrading all our toilets.
20. Are there disabled parking spaces near the RIBA?
There are designated disabled parking spaces near the RIBA. Please view the Westminster Council website| for further information about disabled parking in Westminster.
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Conference facilities including room set-up and deliveries
21. How many meeting rooms are there at the RIBA?
We have 23 meeting rooms of various sizes, which can accommodate between two and 400 people. This includes a lecture theatre, which can seat up to 284, and our Florence Hall, which can accommodate 400 for a standing reception. Please view the separate pages about each room| for further information.
22. How do I book a room at the RIBA?
Please call the Venues Team on 020 7307 3888 or email your enquiry to venues@riba.org|. We will be able to recommend suitable rooms, make a provisional booking and provide any further information you may require. We hold any provisional bookings for ten days.
23. Do you require a deposit to confirm a booking?
When booking conference rooms we ask that you sign our room booking form, which confirms your booking. If you cancel after signing this form you will be subject to our cancellation charges, which vary depending on the length of time before your event date that you cancel. For Florence Hall, Jarvis Suite First Floor Landing and RIBA Gallery bookings we require the full room hire cost as a deposit. All terms and conditions are stated on the booking form so please read these carefully.
24. Is it possible to smoke at the RIBA?
The RIBA is a non-smoking building. Those people wishing to smoke are asked to use one of our outdoor terrace areas or Portland Place.
25. Do you have a cloakroom if clients wish to leave large luggage or coats?
A staffed cloakroom is included in the cost of both the Jarvis| and Florence Hall|. All our other rooms have coat rails or racks in them.
26. Can you supply images of the RIBA if we wish to include them on our invitations and literature?
Unfortunately our images have copyright on them so we are unable to provide images or logos for use in invitations and literature.
27. What signage can I use for our event?
You can use any of your own signage within a function room; however, we do request that nothing is attached to the walls. If hiring both rooms on the sixth floor you can use the landing area for displays and signage. We can provide display boards free of charge if required. We also have some electronic displays throughout the building. Please email venues@riba.org| for further information and costs.
28. Can I have a registration desk in the RIBA reception?
On certain occasions it is possible to have a registration desk opposite the RIBA reception. Please contact our Venues Team on 020 7307 3888 and they will be able to notify you if this will be possible for your conference.
29. Do you offer a half-day room hire charge?
Yes. Our half days run from either 9am - 1pm or 2pm - 5pm. Please note that evening bookings are charged at the full day hire rate.
30. Can we come and view your facilities?
Yes. We would be delighted to show you our magnificent building; please call the Venues Team on 020 7307 3888 or email venues@riba.org|. Appointments can be made during the week and occasionally some evenings or weekends.
31. Are there any hotels local to the RIBA?
Yes. We recommend the Grange Langham, Grange Fitzrovia and the Langham Hotel, which offer discounted rates to RIBA clients.
Grange hotels
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32. Are any of your conference rooms air-conditioned?
Yes. Our Jarvis Suite|, Florence Hall|, Aston Webb |and Council Chamber |all have state-of-the-art air conditioning. All our other rooms have large windows that can be opened and we also provide fans during the warmer months.
33. Do you offer charity discounts?
Yes. We offer a 10% discount on our standard room hire charges to all registered charities.
34. From what time can we hire the rooms?
Our daytime bookings run from 9am - 5pm and our evening bookings from 6pm - 11pm. Half days are from 9am - 1pm or 2pm - 5pm. If you require earlier access in order to set up, please contact the Venues Office, which will be able to notify you if this is possible.
35. Do you offer day delegate rates?
No, as our room hire is VAT exempt it is not possible to combine these charges with our catering packages. Our catering team have compiled catering delegate packages, details of which can be seen on our hospitality page|.
36. Can we deliver delegate packs and signage before our conference?
We would be more than happy to accept and store any deliveries the day before your conference. Please ensure that they are clearly labelled with your name, company name and date of the conference and the room in which your conference will be held.
37. Do you have a delivery entrance and lift for large goods?
We have a delivery entrance on Weymouth Street. Please advise us if you wish to make a delivery. From this entrance there is access up eight stairs to a goods lift which is 1.75m wide, 2.15m high and 0.81m deep that provides access to each floor except the third and fourth.
38. Do you have room plans and measurements?
Please download the PDF of our brochure for room plans.
39. Can people contact me at your venue?
There are telephones in each room and we can provide you with a direct line number which people can contact you on. Alternatively, we will take any messages at the Venues Office and deliver it to you in your room.
40. Can we hire the RIBA for film shoots?
Yes. The RIBA has been used in the past for shooting films such as Waking the Dead and Bright Young Things, photoshoots and interviews. Please view our filming| page or contact the Venues Team on 020 7307 3888 for further information.
41. Are there any events that cannot be held at the RIBA?
We hold a wide variety of events at the RIBA; however, we do reserve the right not to accept bookings if we feel that they would be detrimental to the RIBA and its reputation.
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Wedding receptions, celebrations and parties
42. Do you have a civil wedding licence?
Several of our rooms are now licensed for civil ceremonies. Please visit our weddings page |for more information.
There is also a registry office nearby and All Souls Church at Langham Place. Their contact details are:
The Old Marylebone Town Hall, Westminster Council House, Marylebone Road, London NW1 5PT, tel: (020) 7641 1161, email: registeroffice@westminster.gov.uk|
All Souls Church, Langham Place, 2 All Souls Place, London W1B 3DA, tel: +44 (0) 20 7580 3522
43. Can we have weddings and parties on any day of the week?
Yes. However, if you wish to have use our Florence Hall |during the week we cannot start to set the room up until 3pm and guests are only allowed access from 6pm. As the building is closed on Sundays, if you wish to have your celebration on a Sunday extra charges will apply - please ask the Venues team for details. The RIBA is also closed between Christmas and New Year.
44. What is the maximum number of guests for a seated dinner?
If you would like to have a seated dinner including space for a dance floor we can accommodate 200 guests. We can seat a maximum of 250 if tables are placed over the dance floor and then removed after dinner. If you wished to have a standing reception we can accommodate up to 400 guests.
45. Do you offer wedding packages?
We offer catering packages, plus room hire. Alternatively we can create a bespoke offering for your reception. Please visit our weddings page |for more information.
46. Can we provide our own entertainment and decorations?
Yes. We do have companies that we can highly recommend; please visit our recommended suppliers for corporate| and private| events for more information. If you wish to bring your own entertainment/decorations we ask that your chosen entertainer consults us so we can organise the necessary power supplies and furniture that they may require.
47. Are we allowed candles?
Yes. We are more than happy for you to use candles to decorate or light our rooms as long as they are within containers large enough to cover the flame and so there will be no damage from wax.
48. What are your opening hours?
Our standard hours for Florence Hall bookings are for guests to arrive from 6pm during the week, or 5pm at the weekend. Closing time is midnight. Please note that noise levels have to be kept at a reasonable level as we are situated in a residential area.
49. Can we leave presents at your venue?
Yes. We will lock the presents in one of our rooms until the next working day when they will need to be collected by a member of the wedding party. Please note that the RIBA accepts no responsibility for anything left on site.
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Catering
50. Which caterers are used at the RIBA?
Ampersand is proud to provide the catering services |at the RIBA, both for the restaurant, café and bar, and for the many conferences and seminars held in the building.
51. When are final catering numbers due?
We request that final menu choices be sent ten days before your event. It may be possible to alter delegate numbers up to three days before your event. Please contact a member of the Ampersand Team on 020 7307 3747 for further information.
52. Can we do a food tasting?
For confirmed large events such as evening receptions, weddings or Christmas parties, Ampersand will be more than happy to offer a food tasting once a booking is confirmed.
53. What time will the bar close?
Our bars close at 11pm with all guests having to leave the building by midnight.
54. How many glasses of wine can be poured from each bottle?
On average we calculate each costing based on five glasses per bottle of wine and six glasses per bottle of sparkling wine.
55. Can we supply our own wine?
Yes. Please ask us for current corkage charges.
56. Can we only have the dishes listed in your menu?
If there is a specific dish or type of cuisine you would like for your event that is not shown in our menus, our caterers will endeavour to create a suitable menu for you.
57. Can we bring in our own caterers?
No. All our catering is provided by Ampersand. If you require Kosher catering we have a list of suppliers that are allowed to cater in the building or alternatively, we now provide the option of having our catering supervised by the Masorti Bet Din. Please ask the Venues |team for further details.
58. Is there anywhere else other than the conference rooms where delegates can eat?
Yes. We have a café and restaurant |within our Florence Hall and also our delightful terrace area in the summer. If you wish to book a table at the restaurant, please call on 020 7631 0467.
59. Can you cater for delegates with special dietary requirements?
Yes. Please advise us at least five days in advance of your booking if you have delegates or guests with special dietary requirements.