The building was designed as offices for the Territorial Force Association and completed in 1913.

In early 1914 the cavalry / infantry hall became the headquarters of the 1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) and the artillery hall became the headquarters of the 1st City of London Brigade Royal Field Artillery.

[1] The 1st (City of London) Battalion was mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 and was deployed on railway guarding duties before sailing for Malta and, ultimately, for the Western Front.

[3] In December 1946 the 8th (1st City of London) Battalion was placed in suspended animation and the cavalry / infantry hall fell vacant.

[1] The whole complex was taken over by 3 Military Intelligence Battalion in 1965 and by London University Officers' Training Corps in 1992.