I have passed through this gateway many times to visit the Royal Academy, without considering the building's history, so here goes: Burlington House was built in the 1660s as a private residence in Mayfair. It was sold to the 1st Earl and Countess of Burlington and passed down the line. Each generation added new features, but it was the 3rd Earl who remodelled it in the style of Andrea Palladio following his Grand Tours of Italy in 1714 and 1719. The Government bought the house in 1854 for the learned societies, such as the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Society of Antiquaries, who are still there today. George III founded the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768, and it moved to Burlington House in 1867 on a 999 year lease. I'm glad to know it will be in this impressive location for some time...
