Destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666, the Society immediately set about re-building the Hall. Work was completed in 1672 and an 'Elaboratory' was included for the first ever large-scale manufacture of drugs. This was located at ground level along the eastern side of the courtyard, underneath the Great Hall.

Entrance to Apothecaries' Hall from Black Friars Lane

A major restoration and building programme was carried out in the 1780s, in part because of the huge expansion in the pharmaceutical trade operations at the Hall. This resulted in a new west and south range to the courtyard and additional premises behind the original, eastern block. Formerly bounded by large iron gates on the western side, entry to the Hall was now from the street through a central archway.

The courtyard, Apothecaries' Hall

The Apothecaries' retail pharmacy, which had been located on the northern side of the courtyard, gained a separate entrance on Water Lane (now Black Friars Lane) in 1823. Its steps and wrought-iron railings are still evident. The colonnade in the courtyard where the main door, surmounted by the Society's Arms, is now located was enclosed in 1929. The Entrance Hall features the main staircase which was constructed in 1670.

The Entrance Hall featuring the staircase, dating from just after the Great Fire, and a cabinet displaying a selection of apothecaries' drug jars

Although the Hall underwent major re-development in the 1980s, its external appearance has altered little since the late-eighteenth century.

It is the oldest extant livery company Hall in the City, with the first-floor structure and arrangement of the Great Hall, Court Room and Parlour remaining as re-built between 1668 and 1670.