Background to the College's move

The College had previously been based at 2 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AF since 1969 which it leased from The Crown Estate, paying a peppercorn rent.

In 2011, due to the short length remaining on of the lease, the College Council agreed that the best interests of the College would be to enter into a joint sale arrangement with The Crown Estate. The College would receive a proportion of the sale proceeds enabling it to purchase a freehold property in central London helping to provide a base for the College into the future.

In 2014 the College exchanged freehold contracts on the Goodman Building at 6-8 Alie Street. It was agreed that it would not be cost-effective or practical to refurbish the Goodman Building to meet modern standards, so a decision was taken to demolish it to allow for the development of a new purpose-built building.  

In February 2015, the College moved out of 2 Carlton House Terrace into temporary premises at The Royal College of Psychiatrists at 21 Prescot Street, E1 8BB.