The Old British Consulate structure, was earliest constructed in 1744 as a dwelling for Ahmed Pasha during the final chapter of his reign. From the second half of the eighteenth century until 1940, it was the headquarters of the British consul. In addition to diplomatic symbol, the consul's representatives used their position to start expeditions into the Sahara with an eye on profitable trade routes.

On a sign outside the entrance hall, this history is, not without some justification, viewed with unconcealed anger. It assertss that the alleged European geographical and exploratative systematic expeditions to Africa, which were in essence and as an issue of fact planned to be colonial ones to inhabit and colonize vital and strategic parts of Africa, embarked from this same building.

The consulate also provided a place of safe haven for the expatriate community during a variety of invasions and was the informal center of the political community in Tripoli.