Capturing the Transformation of Bloomsbury

The Imperial has partnered with Bloomsbury Festival and London Design Festival to present a unique opportunity to reflect on the outdoor spaces and buildings that have shaped Bloomsbury over the last two decades. 

Marking the 20^th anniversary of Bloomsbury Festival, Capturing the Transformation of Bloomsbury will see the festival’s Principal Photographer & Master Printer Stuart Keegan in conversation with Bloomsbury Festival Director Rosemary Richards, and previous leaders of the festival, Maddy Mills (Festival Producer 2006-2013), and Kate Anderson (Festival Director 2015-2020). Rosemary will lead a discussion with Stuart, Maddy and Kate, about how the festival has changed the essence of one of the capital’s most storied neighbourhoods since the festival began in 2006. 

Presenting a collection of extraordinary photographs that showcase the buildings, community, and cultural life that Bloomsbury Festival nurtures, the discussion will chart the progress of Stuart’s work alongside stories and anecdotes from his tenure as its principal photographer over the last 20 years. This event is complimentary for festival goers.

Stuart has been a local resident for decades and resigned the role this year because of sight loss.

Hosted at The Imperial, an iconic modernist hotel that has been a part of Bloomsbury for over 100 years, the event acts as an exclusive preview of a month-long exhibition coinciding with Bloomsbury Festival (1 – 31 October 2026) and will also give visitors an opportunity to be among the first to experience the property following its once-in-a-generation renovation. 

Originally opened in 1905 with a building designed by Charles Fitzroy Doll, The Imperial was adorned with ornate turrets, tiles, and gargoyles, and became known for its grand ballrooms, expansive winter garden, and Turkish Baths. The building was replaced with a striking modernist structure in 1966,  presenting a bold reflection of the era through clean lines and confident angles, offering a new way of thinking that sparked debate at the time. Now recognised as one of the best examples of modernist architecture in London, the reimagined property retains and celebrates the hallmarks of this design language, creating a space in which history and modernity thoughtfully coexist.