Richard D'Oyly Carte bought the site in 1880, and C. J. Phipps designed the Savoy Theatre. It opened on October 10, 1881. The exterior is red brick and Portland stone, and the original interior was in the manner of the Italian Renaissance. The article calls it the first public building in the world lit entirely by electricity, though the stage stayed gas-lit until December 28, 1881. It hosted the premieres of the last eight Gilbert and Sullivan operas, including The Mikado.
Frank A. Tugwell rebuilt the interior in 1929, with decor by Basil Ionides. A fire gutted the auditorium on February 12, 1990. Sir William Whitfield led the rebuild, and it reopened on July 19, 1993.
Ambassador Theatre Group owns it and runs it as a West End theater. It is a Grade II* listed building.
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