The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) was established in Birmingham in 1847 with the purpose of giving "an impulse to invention likely to be useful to the world". Its work over the years has included administration of professional membership, administration of exams and issue of qualifications, and supporting the recognition of mechanical engineering through the Engineering Heritage Awards.

The Institution’s first meetings were held at the Queen’s Hotel in Birmingham, with larger Ordinary Meetings held at the Philosophical Institution’s lecture theatre, located on Cannon Street. Although the IMechE entered into a year-long lease for holding Council meetings in the Temple Buildings, more room was needed. The Secretary, William Prime Marshall, found premises that provided residential accommodation for himself, plus a meeting room, library and an additional room for the Institution’s use. The IMechE signed a three-year lease on 54 Newhall Street, Birmingham.

The Institution held its first London meeting in 1851 at the Society of Arts’ Adelphi Rooms. The Newhall Street building remained the permanent base for the Institution for 14 years, with Ordinary Meetings being held at the Midland Institute. In 1871, the IMechE’s Council formed a committee to look into building an entirely new house, where all meetings could be held. The committee considered three potential sites in Birmingham, but finally recommended refurbishing the existing leased building in Newhall Street or constructing a new building on land at the corner with New Edmund Street. This work did not take place and, in 1877, the IMechE moved to London.

In London, the Institution occupied rented premises at No 10 Victoria Chambers for 20 years. In 1895, the IMechE’s Council set up a House Committee to build new headquarters on land purchased by the Institution at Storey’s Gate, near St James’s Park. Disputes with neighbours meant that work on the building did not begin until 1897. Construction took two years and the building was officially opened on 16-17 May 1899.

During the First World War, the Office of Works and the National Relief Fund took over the IMechE headquarters. The IMechE moved into 11 Great George Street as tenants of Armstrong, Whitworth & Company.

At the start of the Second World War, the IMechE moved out of London to The Meadows at Bletchworth, Surrey. In July 1940, the military requisitioned The Meadows and the IMechE moved back to Storey's Gate in London.

During the Second World War, the IMechE headquarters acted as a meeting place not just for the Institution, but for other bodies including the Royal Netherland Institution of Engineers, the Association of Polish Engineers in Great Britain and the Society of Engineers and Technicians of the Fighting French Forces. Government departments also made use of the building, and in January 1943, a group of senior REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) used the building to plan the mechanical engineering support for Operation Overlord and the invasion of Normandy.

In 1975 a new office was opened in Bury St Edmonds, with the relocation of several departments. This office closed in 2004.

The IMechE continues to represent professional engineers under its mission statement of "Improving the world through engineering".