Proposed Jewel House

The Tower has been home to the Crown Jewels since the reign of Edward I (1272-1307). Most of the original regalia was destroyed during the Civil War, however, and the current set of jewels was made between 1660 and 1953. Since the Restoration they have been displayed successively in the Martin Tower, the short-lived new Jewel House, and the Wakefield Tower. In 1967 a new Jewel House opened in the basement of the Waterloo Barracks. The current exhibition opened in 1994.

This drawing shows a design for a new Jewel House at the base of the Lanthorn Tower. Architecturally the building was designed to blend in with its surroundings through the use of stone on the exterior, together with mullion and transom windows. The interior features a one way system with tiered walkways to ensure that everyone would have a good view of the Jewels.