Wren's Direction of the Reconstruction of St Paul's Cathedral

Timeline

1. 1661–1666St Paul's Cathedral · Greater LondonWren participated in advisory work on the restoration of old St Paul's from about 1661. In 1663 Charles II established a royal commission to raise funds for repairs; in May 1666 Wren submitted a scheme for a more thorough rebuilding in the classical style, and that September the fire destroyed the old church, after which a new church was decided upon.
2. 1666–1675St Paul's Cathedral · Greater LondonAfter the 1666 fire, reusing the old structure was first considered, but it was entirely demolished in the early 1670s. The Greek-cross 'Great Model' of 1673 was set aside around autumn 1674; on 14 May 1675 the Latin-cross 'Warrant Design' was approved by Charles II, as it allowed the choir to be built first in sections.
3. 1669–1675St Paul's Cathedral · Greater LondonOn 30 July 1669 Wren was formally commissioned to design the new St Paul's; on 14 May 1675 the Warrant Design was approved and the commission immediately ordered foundations laid at the east end, traditionally dated to 21 June. Construction continued until 1710, making it the landmark project of London's rebuilding in the Restoration era.