Queen Mary college People’s Palace to be restored

THE famous People’s Palace in London’s East End is to be restored to its original art deco glory. The Grade II-listed former theatre that now forms part of Queen Mary college at Mile End is being brought back to its original grandeur

THE famous People's Palace in London's East End is to be restored to its original art deco glory.

The Grade II-listed former theatre that now forms part of Queen Mary London University college campus at Mile End is being brought back to its original grandeur. The building completed in 1936 replaced the original Victorian theatre that was destroyed by fire in 1931.

The main part of the building is the Great Hall, used for major College events like graduation ceremonies and available too for external hire.

The building retains some of its original fittings designed by the cinema architect George Coles and has seven bas-relief panels by the 20th Century sculptor and artist Eric Gill.

The project announced by the college today follows from the restoration of the 19th century Octagon Library three years ago.

Queen Mary college, which has 15,000 London University undergraduate and postgraduate students, is hoping the restored People's Palace will become a focus for cultural events again in East London.