A modernist office tower overlooking St James’s Park, completed in 1976, which served as the headquarters of the UK Home Office for over two decades before becoming home to multiple government departments including the Ministry of Justice and Crown Prosecution Service.
At a glance
102 Petty France is a 14-storey office building designed by Fitzroy Robinson & Partners with Sir Basil Spence. Standing 56 metres tall, it provides 51,000 square metres of office space on a prominent site in Westminster, overlooking one of London’s royal parks.
History
Completed in 1976, the building achieved particular prominence when it became the main headquarters of the UK Home Office in 1978. For 26 years, until 2004, it was known as 50 Queen Anne’s Gate and served as the operational centre for one of Britain’s most significant government departments. Today it accommodates a range of justice and governance bodies, reflecting the evolving needs of modern administration.
What you see
The building is a substantial modernist structure with 14 floors rising 56 metres above street level. Its considerable office volume—550,000 square feet—enables it to function as a major hub for government work. The prominent location overlooking St James’s Park positions it at the heart of London’s administrative quarter.
Cultural significance
102 Petty France represents late 20th-century British institutional architecture and reflects the consolidation of government functions within Westminster. Its decades as the Home Office headquarters mark a significant period in UK governance and public administration.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: City of Westminster, London
- Completed: 1976
- Architects: Fitzroy Robinson & Partners, with Sir Basil Spence
- Height: 56 metres (184 feet)
- Floors: 14
- Office space: 51,000 square metres (550,000 sq ft)
- Coordinates: 51.4999°N, 0.1346°W
Practical information & getting there
The building is located on Petty France in Westminster, a short walk from St James’s Park and central London’s government district. Public transport links are excellent via nearby Underground stations and bus routes serving the area.
Sources & resources
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