Members' Room

Chartered Accountants' Hall was designed in the 1880s by architect John Belcher, who used a Baroque Revival style inspired by Baroque architecture he had observed while travelling in Europe.

For the substantial former library (now the Members' Room), Belcher added an imposing gallery and dramatic lantern-lit bridge spanning the room, inspired by the Rialto Bridge in the great trading city of Venice. It was once said to be the only example of an indoor bridge in the UK.

The room was said to be Belcher's favourite room. The critical reaction was not always favourable, with The Times noting in their edition of 24 June 1893 'Perhaps Mr Belcher has not been well advised in allowing himself to imitate the bridge … in the gallery that he has carried across the room; his love for Venice has here led him a little too far'

The room has undergone some reconstruction in the 1930s, prompted by the need to adapt the space for the demands of members. Originally there were two fireplaces in the room at opposite ends, but one was demolished to create additional shelving space for books. There is a bust of the architect, John Belcher, created by Hamo Thornycroft, atop the remaining stone chimney-piece.

The Members' Room was last used as the main members' library in June-December 2008 as an interim measure during the construction of the new Business Centre.

In August 2022 award-winning British artist Alexander Beleschenko added three new stained glass windows into this room, featuring an intricate arrangement of predominantly grey, blue, orange, purple, green and yellow geometric shapes and patterns. Beleschenko has written an 'Artist's view' of his creative process for the Architects' Journal (Donald Insall refreshes Grade II*-listed Accountants Hall), describing the artwork as "a combination of realism and abstraction", inspired by details in the decoration seen elsewhere in the building.

The Members' Room also received general restoration work during 2022, with the addition of bespoke fitted joinery to reinstate lost bookshelves in the former library.

The ICAEW Library & Information Service holds a collection of books and articles on Chartered Accountants' Hall, covering the original building and the later extensions. See our Further reading page for details of these, as well as links to web pages on the sculptors and artists whose work decorates the building.

ICAEW members and students may be able to view these rooms when visiting Chartered Accountants' Hall in person (subject to availability). Everyone, including members of the public, can join our guided tours of the building as part of the annual Open House Festival.