London’s Royal College of Music to purchase English National Ballet’s current home

English National Ballet and the Royal College of Music (RCM) have exchanged contracts for the sale of Markova House, the current headquarters for English National Ballet. The sale is to be completed in autumn 2018, when English National Ballet plans to move with the English National Ballet School to a new premises at London City Island.

The purchase of Markova House, situated close to the RCM’s South Kensington premises, will enable the College to increase performance, practice and rehearsal spaces in its current Blomfield Building (pictured) – a multi-million pound project recently granted planning permission – as well as providing a new centre for its Research department, and for academic and administrative staff.

‘The acquisition of Markova House is a once in a generation opportunity for the Royal College of Music to significantly expand its offer to future students as well as the general public; underpinning the vision that access to high-quality music-making should be available to all,’ said RCM director Colin Lawson. ‘Together with the planned development of the Royal College of Music’s Blomfield Building, the acquisition of Markova House will contribute to a state-of-the-art creative infrastructure across both sites, supporting and sustaining the Royal College of Music as a world-leader in music education for generations to come.’

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