Modern Offices to Let

Images of the outside of Tavistock House and its grounds. Tavistock House forms part of BMA House, so some BMA House images are included.

The building was originally designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) as headquarters for the Theosophical Society. The relationship between the Theosophical Society and Lutyens was tempestuous and the two parted company in 1914. Hasty completion of part of the building enabled the Ministry of Munitions of War to use the site.

The BMA bought the unfinished building in 1923 on a 200 year lease. Lutyens was re-engaged to finish the building and add the Court of Honour and Gates of Rememberence, as a memorial to BMA members killed in World War I, and BMA House was opened in July 1925 by King George V and Queen Mary.

The BMA planned to extend the building, but escalating costs led them to fall out with Lutyens. Consequently, different architects and builders worked on extending and modernising the building, including Cyril Wontner Smith and Douglas Wood.

In 1954 James Woodford (1893-1976) designed the central courtyard fountain and its surrounding statues as a memorial to doctors killed in World War II.

In 2006 HOK were appointed architects to oversee a radical plan to combine the best of Lutyens and his successors with the modern needs of the BMA’s members, staff, tenants and many outside users. HOK’s vision, was to preserve and restore the best of the old traditional designs, but bring in modern techniques and modern facilities to make the building once again the showpiece it had originally been.

More on the history of BMA House can be found on the BMA House website.