Skip to navigation | Skip to search
No photo credits available.
25 April 2013: Grayson Perry RA and RA Friend and Trustee Stephen Fry joined the President of the Royal Academy of Arts, Christopher Le Brun, Secretary and Chief Executive, Charles Saumarez Smith, and Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools, Eileen Cooper RA, to lay a symbolic brick in the Keeper’s House project. The ceremony marks an important milestone in the architectural redevelopment of the Keeper’s House.
Grayson Perry RA, Eileen Cooper RA, Christopher Le Brun PRA and Stephen Fry at the Topping Out ceremony of the Keeper’s House. Photo: Darren Gerrish © Royal Academy of Arts, London
The Keeper’s House will open in September 2013 transforming facilities for visitors and supporters. The major £6.5 million project has been led by award-winning architects Long & Kentish, with interior design by David Chipperfield Architects, new artworks by Grayson Perry RA and other Royal Academicians and catering by renowned restaurateur Oliver Peyton. The space includes a new restaurant, bar and walled garden and will provide a stylish sanctuary for artists and art lovers in the heart of Mayfair.
The renovation will allow the Royal Academy to offer more to Friends, Patrons, Royal Academicians and the general public through increased social spaces, extended opening hours and an exciting public programme featuring talks, debates, workshops and exhibitions.
Download a copy of the Keeper's House information booklet (1.2 MB)
FAQs: Read the latest on the Keeper's House transformations
November 2012: RA staff take a behind the scenes tour of the Keeper’s House building site to show our supporters what stage the project is at four weeks into the developments:
Take a virtual look at the initial design concepts for the new Keeper’s House. Flythrough of initial design concept © AVA Studio.
Spring 2012: RA President Christopher Le Brun and RA Secretary and Chief Executive Charles Saumarez Smith were joined by architects Rolfe Kentish and Sir David Chipperfield RA, RA Friend and Trustee Stephen Fry and Grayson Perry RA to reveal plans for the Keeper’s House.
Keeper’s House project architect Rolfe Kentish and interior designer Sir David Chipperfield RA, RA President Christopher Le Brun, Grayson Perry RA, RA Secretary and Chief Executive Charles Saumarez Smith and RA Friend and Trustee Stephen Fry. Photography: Mark Blower © Royal Academy of Arts, London
Stephen Fry introduces the plans for the Keeper's House development
Click here to watch a subtitled version of the film
Transforming the facilities for Friends
Unveiling the plans
History of the Keeper’s House
Support the RA – You can help make a difference
