Foreign and Commonwealth Office

:The German foreign ministry is also formally known as the Foreign Office.

History of the building

Construction of the present FCO headquarters began in 1861 as headquarters for the Foreign Office and finished in 1868. They were part of a complex of government buildings including the India Office, and later the Home Office and the Colonial Office. The Foreign Office was designed by the architect George Gilbert Scott in classical style — although he had wished it to be Gothic — and Lord Palmerston, the then Foreign Secretary. Over the years the offices became increasingly cramped due to staff numbers and much of the fine Victorian interiors was covered over, especially after World War II. In the 1960s demolition was proposed, but due to a public outcry asserting their heritage value the buildings were retained and extensively refurbished.

Related Topics:
1861 - 1868 - George Gilbert Scott - Lord Palmerston - Victorian - World War II - 1960s

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