Regent Street Polytechnic

From the Wikipedia page on the University of Westminster, which is the successor institute to the Regent Street Polytechnic at

Quintin Hogg acquired the building at 309 Regent Street in 1881. His vision of 'The Polytechnic' which reopened the following year, was to educate "mind, body and spirit". He expanded the established role in applied science and engineering to encompass arts and humanities in a full social mission. As a result, the Polytechnic became a model for technical and engineering education as a network of polytechnics across London and later the UK.

The building at 309 Regent Street was rebuilt in 1910-12 to reflect the needs of a growing institution whose student members exceeded 15,000. Pioneering work in emerging professional and commercial disciplines, alongside general interest subjects was the hallmark of the institution. Alfred Waterhouse, who designed the Natural History Museum, was president of the School of Architecture and Sir Charles Parsons of the School of Engineering..

After the First World War, the polytechnic offered degrees conferred by the University of London and its focus on the educational and social life of working people in London remained largely unchanged until the Second World War.

In 1924 a new school of management opened following the Industrial League and Council presenting a series of lectures on management and industry. Courses in journalism began in 1922 and the teaching of planning started in 1934. In the 1950s the institution became known nationally and internationally as the “Regent Street Polytechnic” and became a model for applied technological education.

The Polytechnic merged with the Holborn College of Law, Languages and Commerce in 1970, forming the Polytechnic of Central London. In 1990 the Polytechnic merged with the Harrow College of Higher Education (founded in 1888), expanding its activities in the creative arts and design.[4] Degree-awarding authority resided with the UK council for national academic awards CNAA.