The Grade I listed The Diorama, which is located on the edge of Regent’s Park in London, has been put up for sale with a guide price of £12.5m+.
Originally constructed in 1823 as Britain’s first purpose-built diorama, the building was conceived as one of the great immersive experiences of the 19th century and at its peak, it was regarded as one of the most innovative forms of visual entertainment in the world.
In 1852 the building was purchased by Sir Samuel William Peto, who extensively remodelled it to be used as a baptist chapel. The building remained in this use until the 1920’s, from which point it has been used as an educational facility, an artists’ co-operative, hospital and, more recently, as the former offices for the headquarters of The Prince’s Trust.
The Diorama is located at 18 Park Square East, overlooking Park Square and provides 22,082 sq ft of flexible accommodation, arranged around an internal atrium that provides an abundance of natural light.
The main entrance leads to a grand reception with symmetrical staircases and behind the façade sits a three-storey polygonal building extending into Peto Place, with a glass roof covering a triple-height central atrium and lift core serving all floors.
The property, which is located within the Regent’s Park Conservation Area, is supported by a lapsed planning permission for a comprehensive office redevelopment, including additional floorspace and a roof terrace.
Darren Arnold, director in the London development team at Savills, which has been appointed to market the opportunity, said: “The Diorama is not simply a building; it is one of London’s hidden masterpieces. Conceived as one of the most ambitious immersive experiences of the 19th century, it has continually reinvented itself over more than two centuries while retaining an extraordinary sense of identity and place. Few properties can match its combination of architectural pedigree, historical significance and global recognition.
“Set within one of the capital’s most prestigious addresses and offered with vacant possession, The Diorama represents a truly generational opportunity. Whether as a private headquarters, cultural destination, world class residence or legacy project, it offers the chance to own and shape the future of a genuine London icon.”
