History of The Octagon
A unique venue with an intriguing story, The Octagon provides an unusual setting with plenty of character for a variety of events in central east London.
Originally the library of the People's Palace, the Octagon was designed by Victorian architect E R Robson. Inspired by the Reading Room at the British Museum, Robson created an unusual three tiered, eight sided venue with a stunning ceiling. The foundation stone was laid by King Leopald II of the Belgians in 1887 and completed the following year.
The Octagon is one of the few remaining elements of the People's Palace complex built at the end of the nineteenth century. The venue was intended to bring education and entertainment to the impoverished people of East End London. The People's Palace was a grand affair with summer and winter gardens, a concert hall, swimming pool, gymnasia and trade and technical schools.
In 1902 the library closed due to a lack of funds, and stood empty until 1909 when it was re-opened as a recreational hall, equipped with bagatelle, billiards, cards and chess. Then in 1921 it was taken over by the East London College as a library for students and venue for exams and graduations. In 1931 the original People's Palace burnt down, leaving the Octagon as one of the last remaining elements of the historic complex.
Successive phases of redecoration began to obscure the Victorian details, leaving the venue looking tired and tarnished. Then in 2006, some 120 years after the library was originally opened, the results of the much needed restoration was unveiled to East London: bringing light to the details of the plaster work, returning the lustre to the literati busts and reinstating the books to the bookshelves on the iron gallery.
For more images of The Octagon, please visit our Photo Gallery.
