Philharmonic Hall, London

The Philharmonic Hall, 97 Great Portland Street, London, originally the St James's Hall, was built in 1907–08 to replace the St James's Hall that once stood in Regent Street. The building is now used by the BBC and known as Brock House.

The Hall occupies the whole of the area bounded by Langham Street, Hallam Street, Gildea Street and Great Portland Street. The building today has a street address of 19 Langham Street and the main entrance is now on the west side of the building in that street.

The Philharmonic Hall was built on the site of the former St Paul's Church (once known as the Portland Chapel) to replace the St James's Hall in Regent Street which had been demolished in 1905. The foundation stone was laid by the Lord Mayor of London on 20 April 1907 and the building opened on 25 April 1908 with a series of promenade concerts performed by the newly formed St. James's Hall Orchestra.

By 1914, the hall had changed name to the Philharmonic and a Ward Lock guide to London produced soon after the end of the First World War (1918) reported that the hall was "mainly used for cinematograph displays".

In 1917, the hall was photographed for the Howard de Walden Estate of which it was then, and may still be, a part. The photograph shows that Intolerance was playing and that on the ground floor at number 95A was a car dealership by the name of Watkins and Doncaster Limited. Great Portland Street up to the Second World War was known as one of London's "Motor Row"s due to the over 30 car showrooms in the street.

The Hall presented a variety of material, including concerts and film, but developed a specialism in travel films from remote regions. Often, these were accompanied by a commentary or lecture from someone connected with the film.

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