ABOUT US

Bleak House was built in the 18th century and is a big part of Gibraltar’s history. It has not always been a training institute but has gone through numerous transformations.

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Originally thought to be a convalescence home for officers suffering from yellow fever in 1828, Bleak House was then emptied and abandoned when trooping was taken over by steamships. Standing alone at the Southern tip of Gibraltar it is believed that during this time it acquired its current name.

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It was not until the mid-19th century that new life was brought to Bleak House this time as an officers mess hall. When the garrison in Gibraltar was divided into 2 districts (North and South), Bleak House became the Royal Artillery Officer's mess.

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It was thought to be located in an ideal setting and thus became Gibraltar's first military hospital, established in 1914. However, it was later found that weather conditions in the area were too harsh to have the sick and infirm housed here and in effect the building was vacated.

 

In later years, Bleak House had been once again converted for use as a mess hall for officers and other military ranks, as a result of the construction of barracks in its surrounding area. In 1963 it was shut down and scheduled for demolition, however in 1966 a reprieve was granted which stayed the demolition plans. It was then refurbished to become a Command Education Centre in Gibraltar until 1994 when it was again left empty. 

 

In 1998 Bleak House was handed over to the Government of Gibraltar. It was refurbished and inaugurated by the Chief Minister, the Hon. Peter Caruana, as an adult learning facility. Since then it has become a centre of training and course delivery which continues to this day.