This October, the Pitt Building in Cambridge celebrates two remarkable milestones: the 193rd anniversary of its foundation stone being laid and its 20th anniversary as a conference and events venue.
In 2004, the Pitt Building was repurposed from housing the printing and publishing offices of Cambridge University Press (CUP) to a conference and meeting venue, marking a new era while maintaining its historic charm. Indeed, this heritage venue continues to host CUP's Syndicate meetings in the Oriel Room, a tradition that spans over 100 years. As a center for academic, corporate, and public events, the building now welcomes over 15,000 visitors annually, including royalty and renowned public figures.
Kate Wain, Sales Development Manager, and Heather Rowe, Deputy Head of Cambridge Retail and Corporate Hospitality, said:
"The building is steeped in history. We've been privileged to host events ranging from scientific conferences to film sets, and even King Charles himself once attended a meeting here."
The Pitt Building is also embracing a greener future. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, it has earned a Bronze Green Meeting award and is already looking to achieve silver status. From offering plant-based menus to implementing plastic-free policies, the team is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and making the historic building even more environmentally friendly.
Looking ahead, the team at the Pitt Building continues to strive for progress by enhancing accessibility, increasing capacity and introducing advanced hybrid meeting facilities. The team also plans to restore the reception area, creating the impressive visual aspect through the building as it would have once been imagined by the original architect, Edward Blore, who was also the architect for Queen Victoria.