The Board Room at Baltic Exchange

When it comes to booking event venues in London, it’s often a matter of choosing between opulent traditionalism and ultra contemporary. But at The Baltic Exchange, there’s no need for decisions. Its first-floor conference centre offers contemporary meeting space alongside its grand, traditional Board Room.

Practically unchanged since the 1920s, this striking room is panelled with now unobtainable Cuban mahogany throughout and boasts stunning features like wrought iron and crystal chandeliers, as well as a carved marble fireplace. ‘It’s totally different from the other spaces we offer here,’ says Emily Driver, The Baltic Exchange’s marketing and events assistant, who always shows the Board Room at the end of a showround, because she loves to see the client’s reaction. ‘They are always very impressed,’ she says.

As you’d expect, this space is equipped with all the latest AV equipment and provides the perfect setting for highbrow board meetings. But it also lends itself for filming, presentations, dinners and lunches. Food is also a strong point; all catering, from sandwiches to full-blown meals, is provided by Balls Brothers.

This article first appeared in Square Meal Venues & Events magazine, Autumn 2006.