Grosvenor Estate
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Past & Present grosvenor estate: past & present
Foreword from Grosvenor’s Estate Surveyor We are delighted to see this comprehensive
in a fast-moving world. We are guided by
history of the estate and our thanks go to
our history, but not constrained by it, and
Chesterton Humberts for their diligence
are constantly looking for ways to improve
and efforts in putting it together. It is a
the quality of life on the estate; whether it
welcome addition to the records of
is by finding new ways to work with local
London’s development.
government to improve the public realm, introducing innovative environmental
Grosvenor’s purpose in Britain & Ireland
measures, or welcoming new businesses
is to create great places where people want
to our retail and office portfolio.
to live, work and relax. To do this we try to achieve a balance of homes, offices and shops
It is, however, the people who live and work
which serve both the local community and
here, who define the distinctive character of the
the many visitors to the areas in which we are
community and its place in London’s history,
active.The experience gained over 300 years
as this remarkable roll-call of illustrious names
in London has been put to use in other cities,
demonstrates. We see our role as being stewards
including Edinburgh, Cambridge and Liverpool,
of this wonderful area of London. Our task at
as well as elsewhere in the world, but it is the
Grosvenor is to ensure that the estate remains
London estate, in Mayfair and Belgravia, that
an environment in which individuals, and the
remains at the heart of our business.
communities that they live in, can continue to make their mark on London’s history.
Our heritage is immensely important to us. It provides a sense of continuity in the community informed by our long-term approach, which is something that we believe is important
Nigel Hughes the estate surveyor Grosvenor
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An introduction from Robert Bartlett The look, the feel and the essential character of
Chesterton Humberts has had the honour and
large parts of central London have been created
distinction of working closely with Grosvenor
and shaped by a small number of estates, one of
over a number of years and, during this time,
the most prominent of which is the Grosvenor
has formed a relationship of which we are
Estate.
very proud. I am therefore delighted to introduce this history of the estate, which
Stretching from Eaton Square to Grosvenor
gives a fascinating insight into how some of
Square and incorporating addresses which are
London’s most prestigious addresses came into
famous the world over, the Grosvenor Estate
being and a look at a few of the historical figures
has its roots in the 17th century, but its continual
and personalities that have called this part of
contributions to areas such as Mayfair and
London home.
Belgravia have never stopped and are as clearly visible today as I’m sure they will be in the years ahead.
Robert Bartlett chief executive officer Chesterton Humberts
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Introduction Grosvenor Estate
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The Grosvenor Estate in London
history also places it firmly at the
streets and properties in the capital.
over the last three centuries. The
covers some of the most prestigious
Covering a large portion of Mayfair, along with Belgravia and formerly Pimlico, it has a history dating
back to the 17th century and has
seen the transformation of the early
heart of the history of London
following pages give an overview of some of the highlights of the
history of this extraordinary estate in London.
fields and gardens into some of
the most valuable real estate in the world. Its architectural and social
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Early history of the London Grosvenor Estate For a time, during the reign of Edward the
The manor of Eia continued with the Abbey
Confessor, the manor of Eia or Eye was held
of Westminster until the Dissolution of the
in the name of Harold, son of Ralph, Earl
Monasteries by Henry VIII in 1540. It was
of Hereford and nephew of the King. By the
at this time that Henry enclosed Hyde Park
time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, the
to create a deer park. During the reign of
manor was held by William the Chamberlain,
Elizabeth I, in 1585, Sir Thomas Knyvett, a
at which time it was confiscated. William the
Groom of the Privy Chamber, obtained a lease
Conqueror then granted Eia to his close friend,
for the Manor of Ebury (a large section of the
Geoffrey de Mandeville. At this time it covered
manor of Eia) for 60 years. By 1623, James I
1,090 acres, from today’s Oxford Street and
had sold the freehold to John Traylman and
Bayswater Road down to the Thames, and from
Thomas Pearson for over £1000, who then
the River Westbourne (near today’s Lancaster
passed it to Sir Lionel Cranfield, Earl of
Gate) across to the River Tyburn (now flowing
Middlesex. Cranfield was a London mercer
underground). In the late 11th century, de
(a silk and fabric merchant) who became
Mandeville granted the manor to the Abbey
Surveyor General of Customs in 1613 and
of Westminster.
Lord Treasurer in 1621. However, but in 1624 he was charged with corruption and fined £50,000, and spent two weeks in the Tower of London. He sold the lands to Hugh Audley in 1626 for £9,400.
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Hugh Audley & Alexander Davies Hugh Audley was the son of a prosperous
Alexander aimed to improve the estate with
mercer. He became Clerk in the Court of Wards
building development. He purchased additional
and Liveries in 1619 and rose to become Keeper
land in Millbank from his brother and also built
of the Records of the Court in 1644. He was
himself a house, later named Peterborough
also a clever businessman and money lender,
House, as well as planning a riverside terrace
which greatly contributed to his wealth and
of small houses, now known as Grosvenor Road.
allowed him to buy up land across the country.
However, he over-stretched himself and was
Audley changed his will many times and by the
forced to borrow money in order to make the
time of his death in 1662, the final version left
scheme work. But in 1665,at the age of just 30,
most of his London estate to his great nephews,
Alexander suddenly died of the plague, leaving a
two brothers, Thomas and Alexander Davies.
21 year-old wife and an 18 month-old baby girl,
Thomas was a successful bookseller, who was
Mary. Alexander died intestate, so his fortune
later knighted and became Lord Mayor of
was divided, with his wife inheriting one third
London.
for her lifetime and his daughter inheriting the remaining two thirds.
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+
lady constance
3rd Marquess of Westminster created Duke of Westminster
+
hugh lupus
3rd Marquess of Westminster created Duke of Westminster
hon katherine cavendish 1857 - 1941
1825 - 1899
lady sibell lumley
+
victor alexander Earl of Grosvenor
1855 - 1929
constance cornwallis-west 1855 - 1929
+
lord henry
1853 - 1884
1861 - 1929
+
dora erskine-wemyss d.1894
hugh richard arthur (bendor)
3rd Duke of Westminster
Succeeded 1899
1894 - 1963
lord hugh william
william
1884 - 1914
+
lady mabel crichton 1882 - 1944
Succeeded 1953
2nd Duke of Westminster 1879 - 1953
edward george hugh Earl Grosvenor 1904 - 1909
sally perry 1910 - 1990
+
gerald hugh
robert george
4th Duke of Westminster
5th Duke of Westminster
Succeeded 1963
1910 - 1979
1907 - 1967
The Dukes of Westminster
natalia phillips 1959 -
+
+
hon viola lyttelton 1912 - 1987
gerald cavendish 6th Duke of Westminster
Hugh Lupus Grosvenor was made the first Duke of Westminster in 1874. This was the only Dukedom bestowed by Queen Victoria to a non family member during her reign.
lady tamara 1979 -
lady edwina 1981 -
hugh richard louis
lady viola 1992 -
Earl Grosvenor 1991 -
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Mary Davies & Sir Thomas Grosvenor After her father’s death, Mary became a highly
had, the marriage not been proven bogus after
sought-after bride with many a suitor after the
four years of legal disputes. The marriage was
wealth that she would bring to a marriage. The
eventually annulled in 1705, but not before the
12 year old Mary eventually married 21 year
mental state of Lady Mary had declined. She
-old Sir Thomas Grosvenor, Baronet of Eaton
was later declared insane and was cared for by
(1655 – 1700), in Chester in 1677, at which
trustees until her death in 1730. Her eldest son,
time the London estate covered around 100
Sir Richard, died in 1732 and was succeeded by
acres in Mayfair and around 400 acres in what
his brother, Sir Thomas, who died the following
is now Belgravia and Pimlico. Mary continued
year. The family estate then passed to the
to live in London with her mother until she
youngest son of Sir Thomas and Lady Mary, Sir
was 15 years old, at which time she joined her
Robert. It was these three brothers who were
husband at Eaton Hall in Chester. By this time,
responsible for the development of Mayfair, in
her mother had remarried Mr Tregonwell and
particular, Sir Richard who became known as the
continued to live in Millbank.
‘great builder’.
After the death of her husband in 1700, Mary
This is the start of the Grosvenor Estate as we
Davies, Lady Grosvenor, became the subject
know it today.
of unscrupulous gold-diggers. In 1701, she was married off to her chaplain’s brother, Edward Fenwick, who would have obtained her fortune,
page 10-11 Map of the Grosvenor Estate as in 1723 (Drawn by estate surveyor Thomas Cundy 1822) – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
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Mayfair
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Grosvenor Square elevation – Colen Campbell 1725 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
Early building in Mayfair At the turn of the 18th century, the Mayfair
allowed for the granting of building leases.
Richard Andrew, Barlow laid out the grid
section of the Grosvenor family’s London estate
By 1720, Sir Richard was putting in place the
pattern of streets.
was known as ‘The Hundred Acres’. In the east
grand plan for the Hundred Acres with the
it stretched from the River Tyburn along South
centrepiece planned as the grandest square in
Along with the wide avenues and the grand
Molton Lane and Avery Row, west along the top
London, Grosvenor Square. He brought in
Grosvenor Square, Sir Richard also made
of Berkeley Square to Park Lane, up to Oxford
Colen Campbell, described as architect to the
allowances for services for his new wealthy
Street and then east to the top of today’s Davies
Prince of Wales, to advise on the layout of the
tenants, with smaller surrounding streets for
Street. Prior to the start of development in
square. In August 1720, Sir Richard appointed
shops, taverns, coffee houses, and tradesmen’s
Mayfair, Sir Thomas Grosvenor was succeeded
Thomas Barlow as Estate Surveyor, recorded as
and servants’ houses. By 1747, most of the streets
by his eldest son, Richard, 4th Baronet, in 1700,
both a carpenter and master builder. Previously,
had been laid out, except for the north- west
who, became Mayor of Chester and MP for
in 1715, Barlow had been agent for Lord
corner near the Tyburn gallows (near today’s
Chester in 1715.
Scarborough and is believed to have laid out
Marble Arch) which remained empty. Although
Hanover Square and the surrounding area. He
the streets were completed, many houses were
Development across Mayfair was slow, primarily
is also known to have been responsible for some
still to be built and building was ongoing from
due to the restrictions around the inheritance
of the buildings in New Bond Street and for
the 1720s through the 1780s.
of the estate from Hugh Audley. It was only
shaping the street map of Mayfair as we know
in 1711 that a private Act of Parliament
it. Along with the Grosvenors’ estate manager,
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Grosvenor Square Grosvenor Square lies at the heart of the
never quite fulfilled due to some houses being
By the early 1730s, all of the houses were
Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair and was pivotal
constructed in a different design by Thomas
completed and Grosvenor Square was commonly
to the grand plans of Sir Richard Grosvenor.
Barlow.
referred to as the grandest square in London.
Covering six acres, it is the second largest
From the very beginning, it was seen as one
London square (after Lincoln’s Inn Fields)
The structure of the lease agreements meant
of the best addresses and became home to
and ever since its completion, it has been one
that many houses were constructed according
some of the wealthiest and most high-profile
of the most sought-after addresses in London.
to individual taste and many were only
names of the 18th century. In July 1725, The
The development was managed by Robert
completed when finance and tenants allowed.
Daily Journal said “Grosvenor Square, which
Andrews, son of the previous estate manager
Thirty different builders were involved and,
for its largeness and beauty will far exceed
Richard Andrews. The aim was to create one of
although the Grosvenor Estate monitored
any yet made in and about London” and in
the finest unified Palladian facades, in particular
construction, there was no imposed architectural
London in Miniature (1755) it was called “the
the eastern side of the square, designed by
design. The completed houses were four-storeys,
most magnificent square in the whole Town”.
Colen Campbell, to appear as one grand palace
constructed with red brick and stone details,
Records show that of the first 51 ratepayers, 16
front. However, the man responsible for the
pedimented doorways and patterned fanlights,
were peers, 35 were titled and 19 were MPs, and
construction, John Simmons, did not fulfil these
and were described as having ‘overall similarity
it was even rumoured that George II thought
original plans. The completed terrace was built
in design which made for a pleasing harmony’.
of buying a house in the square for the Prince
as one complete side, but not to the designs
The houses were also larger than any of those
of Wales.
of Campbell. On the northern side, builder
constructed in other London squares and soon
-developer, Edward Shepherd also attempted
became the centre of London society and
a unified facade in 1728, but this too was
fashion.
Grosvenor Square west side (from North Audley Street) c.1931 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate page 22-23 A View of Grosvenor Square, London 1741 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
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Eighteenth century ‘feudal grandeur, fashion, taste and hospitality’ In Londonium Redivivum (1802) by J.P.
No.7 was formerly the home of Viscount
Nos.10-12, are now the site of the Marriott
Malcolm Grosvenor Square was described
Weymouth and in 1827 it became the home
Hotel on the corner of Duke Street. No.13 was
as “the very focus of feudal grandeur, fashion,
of Thomas Grosvenor, 2nd Earl of Wilton, the
the home of Robert Grosvenor, 1st Marquess
taste and hospitality”. Over the 300 years of
second son of the 1st Marquess of Westminster.
of Westminster, followed by his brother, Thomas
the history of Grosvenor Square it has been
In 1926 it became the home of Lady Cunard,
Grosvenor, 2nd Earl of Wilton. The 1st
home to an inordinate number of well-known
who, during World War II, gave up her house
Marquess of Westminster also lived at Nos.15
residents - too many to mention here - but
and went to live in the Dorchester Hotel, which,
and 16, originally built as one double-sized
below is an overview of some of the notable
at that time was home to many of London’s
house. It was later divided into two houses and
early residents.
elite who would take shelter in the ladies
No.15 was the home of Captain Thistlethwaite
Turkish baths during bombing raids.
and his wife, who later, with the help of Prime
In 1740, No.1 was the home of Charles
Minister William Gladstone, opened a mission
Colyear, 2nd Earl of Portmore, son of the
No.9 Grosvenor Square is the only Georgian
for fallen girls at her home until the 1880s.
former mistress of James II, but by 1743 it
house remaining in the square today. In 1785,
The last resident of No.16 was the Dowager
was occupied by the 2nd Duke of Buccleugh,
after the American War of Independence, it
Duchess of Westminster, widow of the 1st Duke,
who later shocked society by marrying a
became the home of the First Minister to the
who lived in the house until 1940 when it was
washerwoman. During the late 1790s and
British Court, John Adams, making it the first
destroyed by bombing.
early 1800s No.2 was occupied by William
American Embassy in London. Adams returned
Beckford, author of Vathek (1786) at which
to America in 1788 and in 1797 he became
No.19 was the home of the Earls of Thanet
time his guests included Sir William and Lady
the second President of the United States.
and it is believed that Mozart and his sister
Emma Hamilton, along with Admiral Lord
performed here, and that part of the interior
Nelson. No.4 Grosvenor Square was formerly
Between 1729 and 1742, No.12 was the home
was designed by Robert Adam. In 1926, it
the largest of the original houses, complete by
of John Aislabie, former Chancellor of the
became the home of conductor, Sir Thomas
1729, but ten years later the builder chose the
Exchequer and the man many people blame
and Lady Beecham. No.26 is notable because it
unusual method of raffling the house. For 200
for the burst of the South Sea Bubble. In 1868
was remodelled by celebrated architect, Robert
years it was home to just two families, including
it became the home of politician and writer,
Adam and was described as one of four of his
the former Prime Minister Charles Watson-
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton, and
greatest London houses. In 1851, the house
Wentworth, the 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.
then later to bankers John Pierpont Morgan
passed to the 14th Earl of Derby, three times
In 1931 it became the Italian Embassy.
( J.P. Morgan) senior and junior. These houses,
Prime Minister, before being demolished in 1861.
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No.35 was the home of radical politician John
mistresses, created the Duchess of Kendal and
and friend of Turner, who was instrumental in
Wilkes, who was held in the Tower of London
Countess of Darlington. They acquired rather
the establishment of the National Gallery.
for his principles, expelled from parliament and
uncomplimentary nicknames: The Duchess,
spent close to two years in prison. He later rose
who was rather skinny, was nicknamed ‘The
A number of ambassadors have also lived in
to become Lord Mayor of London and today is
Maypole,’ and the Countess, who was rather fat,
the square, including the 4th Earl of Rochford,
attributed as being the main proponent of the
was nicknamed ‘The Elephant and Castle’. The
Ambassador to Spain, Sardinia and Paris and the
freedom of the press. In 1781, No.37 became
Duchess of Kendal was one of the first residents,
Secretary of State; Francis Seymour Conway,
the home of Mr and Mrs Thrale, good friends
moving to No.43 on the south side in 1728.
1st Marquess of Hertford, who had been
of Samuel Johnson, who visited the Thrales
the Ambassador in Paris and rose to become
during this time. No.40 Grosvenor Square was
Other residents include: former prime ministers,
Lord Chamberlain in 1766; and the 3rd Duke
the home of former Prime Minister Charles
Lord North, 1st Earl of Guilford and Augustus
of Dorset, Ambassador in Paris before the
Grey, 2nd Earl Grey.
Henry Fitzroy, 3rd Duke of Grafton; the
Revolution between 1783 and 1789.
Dowager Duchess of Marlborough and her son Two of the earliest residents of Grosvenor
Lord Randolph Churchill, Chancellor of the
Square were two notorious characters
Exchequer and father of Winston Churchill; Sir
of the early 18th century - George I’s
George Beaumont, 7th Baronet, amateur artist
History of Derby House Derby House was Robert Adam’s great
influenced by French design and Adams
masterpiece on Grosvenor Square. Built in
designed the apartments to feel like a French
1728, it was later inherited by 19 year-old
hotel. A contemporary noted his designs were
Lord Stanley who engaged Adams to renovate
‘an attempt to arrange the apartments in the
the building. Adams introduced a thoroughly
French style, which is best calculated for the
modern layout, including a central staircase,
convenience and elegance of life.” The house
circular and oval apartments and a sequence
was demolished by Sir Charles J Freake in
of straightforward, symmetrical rooms.
1861 and was completely rebuilt.
By the 1770s, British architects were being
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Waterloo House – No.44 Grosvenor Square No.44 Grosvenor Square has a rather special
Thistlewood with a group of around 24 other
history in the life of the square. The house
conspirators, and they met to plan their attack
was first occupied by Oliver St George in
in Cato Street, near Edgware Road. However,
1728, but by 1804 it had become the home
the plan was foiled and the Bow Street Runners,
of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
the early unofficial police force, were waiting for
and President of the Council, Dudley Ryder,
the gang outside the house in Cato Street.
1st Earl of Harrowby. At that time it was customary for members of the Cabinet to meet
No.44 continued as the home of the Harrowby
together in members’ houses, and on the 21st
family long after these two historic events, with
June 1815, the Cabinet, including the Prime
the last Dowager Countess of Harrowby the last
Minister Lord Liverpool, was having dinner
to leave in 1908. By the 1960s, when panelling
at No.44 and the Duke of Wellington’s aide-
was being removed, a large early 18th century
de-camp, Major Henry Percy came running
mural was discovered, similar to one by William
into the dining room to announce the victory
Kent in Kensington Palace. However, despite
at the Battle of Waterloo. From that time on
these historic connections and architectural
the house was commonly known as Waterloo
features, the house was demolished in 1968
House.
and it became the site of the Britannia Hotel, today’s Millennium Hotel.
Five years later, it was almost the site of another dramatic episode. The plan, now known as The Cato Street Conspiracy, was to overthrow the government by killing the Prime Minister and all of the members of the Cabinet gathered for dinner at Lord Harrowby’s house on 28th February 1820. The plot was led by Arthur No.44 Grosvenor Square section and plan – Survey of London: Volume 40
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Architectural & social change Throughout the 19th century, Grosvenor Square
of flats in the south east corner, which was
continued to be one of the most sought after
completed in 1927. By the 1930s, a complete
addresses in London. The houses continued
transformation of the square was underway
to be solely residential with records showing
and the large Georgian terraced houses were
that between 1855 and early 1880s, the average
demolished and replaced with neo-Georgian
household consisted of 13 or 14, of whom 10
flats. However, the rebuilding was designed
or 11 were servants. However, one significant
by the French architect Fernand Billerey to
change was the shift of residents to include
architechtually unite all of the buildings on
successful ‘tradesmen’ or businessmen rather
the square.
than solely aristocratic families. Some early ‘trade’ residents included the brewer Sir Henry
Prior to the outbreak of war in 1939, Grosvenor
Meux; engineer Sir Charles Palmer; and ship
Square was still the home of many titled
owner and inventor of the marine turbine,
residents, including Katherine, Duchess of
Charles Wilson, later Lord Nunburnholme.
Westminster; Lord Illingworth, the Marquess
Other prominent residents coming from a
of Bath; Lord Charles Montagu and Viscountess
business background included South African
Tredegar. It was in Grosvenor Square during
mining magnates, Jack Barnato Joel and Sir
the early 1930s that it is believed the Prince of
Lionel Phillips.
Wales, later Edward VIII, went to a party held by Lady Furness and was introduced to Mrs
The popularity of Grosvenor Square also led
Wallis Simpson.
many of its wealthy owners to transform their houses with the changing tastes of the time, making sure they were at the height of fashion. This began during the 19th century, but it was in the 1920s that the Duke of Westminster decided on a grand redevelopment of Grosvenor Square and started the rebuilding with a block
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World War II & the American influence The northern, western and southern sides of
The heavy American occupation of Grosvenor
square that the greatest redevelopment took
the square were only partly rebuilt when war
Square gained it the nickname of ‘Eisenhower
place: the Georgian houses were demolished in
was declared in 1939. The American Embassy
Platz’. Grosvenor Square was heavily bombed in
1957 and the new American Embassy, designed
was already located at No.1, but when they
1941 when a number of houses were struck and
by the Finnish architect, Eero Saarinen, was
entered the war they moved to new buildings in
many burnt out. It became the worst affected
constructed in its place. The former American
the square. General Eisenhower’s headquarters
area across Mayfair. After the war, many of
Embassy, at Nos.1-3, became the Canadian
were on the north side at 19-20, along with the
the houses had fallen into disrepair or received
High Commission in 1960.
naval mission and many other military offices.
bomb damage. It was along the west side of the
The central gardens The central gardens have been transformed
were chosen as the site for a memorial to
Diplomatic Gates erected, in 1984 to celebrate
a few times since the construction of the
former American president, Franklin D.
the 1783 Treaty of Paris; The Eagle Squadron
square. The earliest layout was planned as
Roosevelt, which was unveiled by his wife
memorial, unveiled in 1986 to commemorate
a formal garden by John Alston and it was
Eleanor Roosevelt in 1948, with management
the pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain; a
originally enclosed by a low brick wall. The
passing from Grosvenor to what is now the
statue of General Eisenhower, unveiled in 1989;
most prominent early feature was a statue of
Department of Culture Media and Sport. At
a statue of former president Ronald Regan,
King George I, gilded and dressed as a Roman
this time the gardens were re-laid in a formal
unveiled in 2011; and, in September 2003, a
Emperor on horseback, but this was removed
pattern with pathways. During the late 20th
memorial garden for those who lost their lives
in the early 19th century. The central gardens
century the centre of Grosvenor Square
in the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001.
changed dramatically in the 20th century, with
became the location for a number of memorials
a complete redesign. After World War II, they
connected to the United States, including the
Grosvenor Square today By 1960, there were only a few original houses
to be one of the most prestigious addresses
the spirit of grand architectural and social
remaining in the square, including Waterloo
in London and although there are fewer
occupation that Sir Richard planned almost
House, although this was sadly demolished
residential homes and more commercial
300 years before.
in 1967. Today, Grosvenor Square continues
and diplomatic offices, the square maintains
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Grosvenor Street Grosvenor Street was laid out for building
aristocracy. Along with most of Mayfair, many
house became a temporary escape for the Prime
between 1720 and 1725, at the same time as
houses along Grosvenor Street have been rebuilt
Minister, Herbert Asquith, and his wife Margot
Grosvenor Square. However, Sir Richard was
or re-fronted, but for almost 300 years, this
after his resignation in 1916.
disappointed in his original scheme, where he
street has been a popular address and home
hoped Grosvenor Street, the broadest street
to a long list of notable characters from the
In 1909, Sir Edgar Speyer brought together
on his estate, would lead along a long vista
nobility, as well as high-ranking military,
Nos.44 and 46 and hired the Grosvenor Estate’s
from Park Lane and Upper Grosvenor Street
churchmen and foreign ambassadors. Early
architect Detmar Blow along with Fernand
to St George’s Hanover Square. Sadly, this
18th century residents included the Countess
Billerey to merge the two houses beneath a
vista crossed over to the neighbouring Conduit
of Hertford in 1740; Lord North in 1740;
new Portland stone frontage. The Duke of
Mead Estate, with the Grosvenor estate ending
Marquess Cornwallis in 1793 and Miss Vane,
Westminster specified that the two houses
at the River Tyburn (just west of New Bond
the mistress of Frederick, Prince of Wales.
should be separable in the future, which meant
Street). The building of St George’s Hanover
that the house was given two staircases, one in
Square began in 1721 and was consecrated in
No.6 Grosvenor Street, close to Avery Row
a carved Gothic style and the other an oak copy
1725. However, Sir Richard had no control over
on the eastern end, is believed to have once
of the Scala dei Giganti in the Doge’s Palace
the layout and building on the Conduit Mead
been the site of a hospital for victims of the
in Venice. During the early 20th century, the
Estate and Maddox Street at the far end of
plague. The first occupant of No.16 Grosvenor
house was the location for music recitals by
Grosvenor Street. This was originally also part
Street, from 1725 to 1738, was the son of the
Strauss and Debussy at Lady Speyer’s famous
of Maddox Street and was built narrower and
first Prime Minister Sir Robert Walpole, the
musical soirees. The house later became the
with a kink, blocking the view of the church
2nd Earl of Orford. From 1837 to 1859 No.16
American Women’s Club and then the Japanese
from the Grosvenor Estate.
was the headquarters of the Royal Institution
Embassy until 2000.
of British Architects and then, between 1912 In 1735, Grosvenor Street was described as
and 1924, it was the home of Lieutenant-
No.50 was the home of generations of the
a ‘spacious well-built street, inhabited chiefly
Colonel George Keppel, whose wife Alice is
Earls of Radnor and the last private resident
by People of Distinction’. By 1736, 22 of the
most remembered as the former mistress of
was Lord Peel in 1928. No.58 was the home of
74 houses were occupied by members of the
Edward VII. It was during this time that the
the Marquess of Aberdeen, Governor-General
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of Canada, who made extensive alterations
and James Adam, the famous architect brothers,
between 1900 and 1908 before selling it to the
lived at No.76 Grosvenor Street between
Chairman of University College Hospital, Sir
1758 and 1772 and in 1825, the same house
Herbert Samuelson. No.59 was the home of
was occupied by the founder of Singapore, Sir
Admiral Earl St. Vincent, who fought in the
Stamford Raffles.
Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. It was also the home of the Speaker of the House
A large amount of alterations were undertaken
of Commons, Lord Ullswater, and between
in Grosvenor Street during the Victorian
1909 and 1914 was the home of a banker,
period, but it was primarily at the turn of the
Ralph Lambton, who built a racquet, court
20th century that extensive rebuilding and
in the mews behind.
conversions took place. Many houses were converted into office spaces or completely
In 1730, No.60 was the home of the actress,
rebuilt for commercial purposes. Having said
Mrs Nance (Anne) Oldfield. Charles Churchill
this, Grosvenor Street still retains a number
is believed to have been her illegitimate son by
of Georgian buildings, including thirteen
General Charles Churchill and Charles junior
Grade II and two Grade II* listed buildings.
later inherited the house and died there in 1812. No.70 was the home of Prime Minister, the 3rd Earl of Bute, in 1748-1752, and since 2000 has been the home of Grosvenor’s office. No.75 Grosvenor Street was originally the home of Sir Henry Hozier, whose daughter Clementine, later to become the wife of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was born here in April 1875. The house was rebuilt in 1914. Robert
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Upper Grosvenor Street Upper Grosvenor Street was also laid out for
Navy during the latter years of World War I
Like other streets in Mayfair, Upper Grosvenor
building at the time of Grosvenor Square, with
and between 1919 and 1927 served as First Sea
Street began to be rebuilt and altered during
building leases granted to a total of 21 different
Lord. No.20 was the home of the son of Queen
the 19th century and again in the 20th century,
tradesmen between 1727 and 1735. One of the
Victoria, Prince Arthur of Connaught. After
especially with the development of the
early residents was the former Governor of New
World War II, the Duchess of Argyll moved
Grosvenor House Hotel on the corner of Park
York, William Tryon, who lived at No.8 from
to No.48 and during the 1950s and 60s, she
Lane. Today, Upper Grosvenor Street has 15
1759 to 1764. Between 1903 and 1910, No.15
continued to entertain lavishly and was one of
Grade II listed properties.
was the home of Admiral of the Fleet, David
the last Mayfair socialites to maintain a private
Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty, who commanded the
house in Mayfair, departing in 1978.
Prince Arthur: first Duke of Connaught and Strathearn (1850–1942) Named after his godfather, the Duke of
in the recruiting of soldiers for the First World
Wellington, Connaught was Queen Victoria’s
War. Drawing on his own military experience,
favourite son. In 1868 he was commissioned
he conflicted with the Canadian government
into the Royal Engineers where he excelled
when he drew public attention to the fact that
and was the last British prince to command
the Canadian-made Ross rifle was prone to
a significant formation in battle. In 1911
jamming in battle conditions. Connaught spent
Connaught was made governor-general of
his retirement in Bagshot Park, Surrey and his
Canada, where he played an important role
villa in France.
Upper Grosvenor Street - Courtesy of City of Westminster Archives Centre
27 grosvenor estate: past & present
Brook Street Brook Street was laid out with Grosvenor
No.68 was the home to another Prime
Square between 1720 and 1725 and refers
Minister, William Pitt the Elder, 1st Earl of
to the ‘brook’ of the River Tyburn. In 1735,
Chatham, in 1757. Today, No.69 is The Savile
Robert Seymour, in Survey of the Cities
Club, and when it was purchased in 1927, it was
of London and Westminster, said Brook
still described as ‘one of the principal mansions
Street was “for the most part nobly built and
in Mayfair’.
Born in Seattle, Washington, Hendrix is
it was said that it was a “calm retreat of nobility
Prominent Mayfair architect, Edward
guitar players. He was given his first guitar by
and persons of great landed property”.
Shepherd, whom ‘Shepherd Market’ is named
inhabited by People of Quality”, and in 1807
after, lived at No.72 from 1726 until 1729. Sir
James Marshall ( Jimi) Hendrix (1942–1970)
regarded by many as the greatest ever electric his father and being left-handed he would play it upside down. After touring The States with artists including Little Richard, he formed his
No.23 Brook Street is famously remembered
Winton Churchill’s mother, Lady Randolph
as the home of musician Jimi Hendrix in
Churchill, lived at No.72 from 1915 to 1917.
own band, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames.
Brook Street, at No.25, was George Frederick
Large sections of Brook Street have been
where he reformed as The Jimi Hendrix
Handel in 1723. Handel remained in the
converted into offices since the turn of the
house for 36 years and it was here that he
20th century, but it still retains a number
composed Messiah in 1741.
of interesting architectural features.
1968/9. One of the earliest inhabitants of
No.66 Brook Street, which was originally built as one with No.53 Davies Street, was built by Edward Shepherd for Sir Nathanial Curzon who lived in the house from 1729 through to his death in 1758. The houses then
In the mid 1960s he choose to come to London Experience. On his return to the USA in 1969 he played at the historic Woodstock, famously ending his set with a version of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’. Hendrix died of a drugs overdose in London on the 18th September 1960 and was buried in his home town of Seattle.
were once again reunited over 100 years later by Detmar Blow and until 2000 formed part of Grosvenor’s office. Today they are Grade I listed.
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Claridge’s
For a number of years the lower section of
The high quality of service and accommodation
During the 1920s, the hotel was redecorated in
Brook Street towards Bond Street was
at the hotel continued under the new
a distinct Art Deco style, with designs by Basil
populated with hotels. Today however, the
management, when it became known as
Ionides, as well as a new entrance and extension
most significant survivor is the world-famous
Claridge’s. It was sold in 1881 and again in
to the east, completed in the 1930s by Oswald
Claridge’s on the corner of Davies Street.
1895 to the Savoy Company, who set about
Milne. The hotel was updated once again in the
Claridge’s was first opened as a hotel in 1815
transforming and modernising the now classic
1990s.
by French chef Jacques Mivart and was known
hotel. The old houses were pulled down and
as ‘Mivart’s’. From the very beginning, the aim
the new red-brick Queen Anne style building
was to offer high-quality accommodation
was built to the designs of C.W. Stephens, who
for the Mayfair clientele, including foreign
was also responsible for the Harrods building
royalty, and even the Prince Regent had a suite
in Knightsbridge. The interiors were also by
of rooms reserved for him. Mivart continued
Stephens, along with Ernest George and Yates.
successfully for 40 years until he sold the hotel
The new Claridge’s reopened in 1898 with a
to William Claridge.
staff organised by Cesar Ritz.
World War II Claridge’s During World War II, Claridge’s became a
the bed so that the heir to the throne could
refuge for many exiled royal families, including
literally be born on home soil. The hotel has
the Queen of the Netherlands and the Kings
also been visited by many members of the British
of Greece, Norway and Yugoslavia. In 1941
Royal Family, including Queen Victoria and
Crown Prince Alexander was born in room
Prince Albert, as well as Queen Elizabeth II.
212 of Claridge’s, after Churchill ceded it to
Claridge’s was popular with celebrity guests,
Yugoslavia for the day. Legend has is that a
including Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and Bing
spadeful of Yugoslavian earth was placed under
Crosby, and remains so today.
29 grosvenor estate: past & present
Upper Brook Street Upper Brook Street was laid out between
but in 1937, it was replaced with a new
1721 and 1725, although not all houses were
building. No.18 was the home of the sculptress,
completed until 1759. Upper Brook Street has
Anne Seymour Damer, between 1799 and
maintained a high level of exclusivity and in
1828, who later inherited Strawberry Hill
1760 there were 14 titled residents. Some of the
from Horace Walpole.
early residents included Lord George Gordon, who is most famous for being the instigator
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many of
of the Gordon Riots in 1780, and George
the homes were re-fronted or rebuilt and, like
Grenville, Prime Minister from 1763-1765.
other streets in Mayfair, were converted to
Between 1930 and 1932, No.9a was the home
offices, several of which are Grade II listed.
of three times Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin,
Park Lane Park Lane was not always the prestigious
view towards Hyde Park as it was surrounded
address that we know it to be today. Originally
by a high brick wall. The removal of the
called ‘Tyburn Lane’, prior to the removal of
gallows made way for new development in
the Tyburn Gallows in 1783, it was infamous
the north west corner of the estate, as well as
for the rabble that headed to the executions.
for a transformation of the houses along Park
This meant that people did not want their
Lane which were redesigned with the popular
houses associated with the unruly crowd and
Regency balconies and bay windows, making
early houses turned their back on Park Lane
the most of the view of Hyde Park.
and faced Park Street or Dunraven (formerly Norfolk) Street. There was also not much of a
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Park Lane - Palatial homes Along with the transformation of individual
elder brother of William Pitt the Elder. For
1960. On the other side of Avenfield House is
houses, Park Lane became established as a
a time the house was occupied by the Prince
No.117, believed to have been rebuilt in around
prime location for aristocratic mansions, firmly
Regent’s daughter, Princess Charlotte, and
1822 and again, after war damage, in 1949.
establishing its reputation as a desirable address.
her husband Prince Leopold, later King of the
One of the first houses, built in 1769 while
Belgians. It later passed to Lord Grenville and
On the corner of Upper Brook Street and
the gallows still sat close by, was Somerset
then to Sir Charles Mills. It continued in the
Park Lane, Brook House was constructed
House. The house was constructed for Viscount
Mills family until the early 20th century before
relatively late in 1867. It was constructed for
Bateman by John Philips. From 1789 to 1797,
being demolished in 1913 and is now also part
Lord Tweedmouth, banker and MP, by Thomas
it was the home of Warren Hastings, former
of the site of the London Marriott Hotel.
Henry Wyatt. In the early 20th century it
Governor-General of India, and then up until
became the home of Sir Ernest Cassel, who
1808, was the home of Lord Rosebury. At this
Between North Row and Green Street is a
redecorated the house to create a grand staircase
time, it was sold to the 11th Duke of Somerset,
row of six surviving early houses, much altered
in Italian marble and a dining room to seat 100
who renamed it ‘Somerset House’, and it stayed
since they were built. No.138, to the north, was
guests. It passed to Sir Ernest’s granddaughter,
in the Somerset family until 1890 when it was
originally two smaller houses and was rebuilt
Lady Mountbatten, in 1925 but was demolished
sold to publisher, George Murray Smith. The
as one house in 1831. The neighbouring houses,
in 1931 to make way for a block of flats where
house was demolished in 1915 and today is
now recorded as Nos.20-23 Dunraven Street,
Lord and Lady Mountbatten had a penthouse
the site of the London Marriott Hotel on the
have also been altered. No.22 (also No.131
flat. This 1930s building was replaced with a
corner of Oxford Street.
Park Lane) was first built in 1758 and later
new Brook House in 1993-8.
remodelled by Sir John Soane in 1801. On In 1773, Camelford House was built next to
the southern corner of Green Street, No.128
Dudley House, No.100 Park Lane, is the only
Somerset House, near today’s North Row, for
Park Lane is another survivor, overshadowed
surviving aristocratic house remaining along the
Thomas Pitt, 1st Baron Camelford, MP and
by the neighbouring Avenfield House, built in
northern stretch of Park Lane. It was completed
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in 1829 for Viscount Dudley and Ward, later
with No.94 in 1823-5 by builder Samuel
The baronial hall was demolished in 1863 and
first Earl of Dudley, to the designs of William
Baxter and the home of Prime Minister
the remainder of the house became the home
Atkinson. It was later enlarged and altered by
Benjamin Disraeli. In 1827, the house was
of author and politician, Sir Edward Bulwer-
Sir Charles Barry and continued in the Ward
the home of MP Wyndham Lewis and his
Lytton, and shortly before its demolition it
family for close to 200 years. It was severely
wife Mary Anne. Lewis died suddenly in 1838,
was the home of Lady Palmerston.
bomb damaged during World War II but it
leaving the house to his wife, who, the following
managed to survive. In the late 1960s, Sir Basil
year, married Benjamin Disraeli. It was here
The last 19th century house on the Grosvenor
Spence converted the house, along with the
that Disraeli wrote a number of his books and
Estate along Park Lane, Aldford House, was
mews behind, linking it to the main building
the couple lived happily. Disraeli became Prime
built in 1894 for Alfred Beit, a South African
by a cast iron bridge. From 1970 it was used as
Minister in 1868 and moved to Downing Street,
gold magnate. The house was designed by
offices, but in the early years of the 21st century
but they retained their house on Park Lane
Eustace Balfour and Thackeray Turner, but
it returned to residential use.
until Mary died in 1872.
the house lasted less than 40 years as it was demolished in 1929 to make way for a block
Nos.93-99, in-between Upper Brook Street
Breadalbane House was built in 1766 for
and Upper Grosvenor Street is a rare pre-20th
Robert Petre, 9th Baron Petre, by James Paine
century section of Park Lane. First constructed
and survived until 1877. It was famous for its
in 1727-1733, the houses were first known as
medieval-style ‘baronial hall’, complete with
‘King’s Row’ and later ‘Grosvenor Gate’, and
gilded hammerbeam roof, believed to have
originally had a pub at either end. In the 19th
been built to entertain Queen Victoria and the
century, the houses were rebuilt creating the
King of Portugal. The house later became the
unique bow shaped frontages looking towards
home of successive Marquesses of Breadalbane,
Hyde Park. Of particular note is No.93, rebuilt
and acquired the name Breadalbane House.
of flats, also named Aldford House.
33 grosvenor estate: past & present
Grosvenor House The most prominent house on the Grosvenor
After the death of the Duke of Gloucester,
The house continued in the Grosvenor family
Estate part of Park Lane was Grosvenor House.
Lord Grosvenor bought Gloucester House in
until the early years of World War I, when
However, it was not built for the Grosvenor
1806 for £20,000 and, after alterations were
the 2nd Duke of Westminster offered the
family, but was originally constructed in 1732
made, the Grosvenor family moved to the new
house to the government for war time use
for Walter Chetwynd, Viscount Chetwynd. The
‘Grosvenor House’ in April 1808. The house
as a hospital for officers, while he moved to
house was situated away from Park Lane with
was altered and redecorated a number of times
Bourdon House in Davies Street. After the
the entrance facing towards Upper Grosvenor
during the 19th century, most particularly by
war the Duke continued at Bourdon House
Street, gardens down towards Mount Street
Thomas Cundy and his son in the 1820s and
where he remained until he died in 1953.
and stables along Park Lane. In 1763, the house
1840s, including the grand entrance with a
Grosvenor House was becoming too large
became the home of the Duke of Cumberland,
stone screen of eight columns, lamp posts and
and expensive to maintain and by 1925 it was
younger son of George II, who is most
metal gates topped with pediments bearing the
decided to redevelop the site as a hotel with
remembered for his involvement in the Battle
family crest. New galleries were added to house
former Grosvenor Estate surveyor, Edward
of Culloden where he gained the name ‘Butcher
the renowned Grosvenor art collection, which
Wimperis, along with renowned architect, Sir
of Culloden’. After Cumberland died in 1765,
included paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens,
Edwin Lutyens.
the house became the home of the Prince
as well as works by Reynolds, Velazquez and
William, Duke of Gloucester and brother of
Gainsborough. During the late 19th century,
George III, and became known as Gloucester
the house was the location for many garden
House. The Duke continued to live in the
parties, balls and dinners.
house until his death in 1805.
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Grosvenor House Hotel In 1926, the grand Grosvenor House was pulled
a speech from the hotel. The Great Room was
down and the Grosvenor House Hotel and flats
transformed into a large dormitory for Air Raid
appeared in its place. In the basement of the
Precaution (ARP) wardens. In the summer
hotel was the unique novelty attraction of a
of 1940 it became a special annexe to the US
large ice-rink, which soon became one of the
immigration department and in 1943 became
most popular attractions for young socialites
the main mess for American officers in London.
and was where Queen Elizabeth II had skating
A Home Guard platoon was formed by 38 of
lessons. However, by the late 1930s it was
the hotel’s reduced staff, which often had drills
dismantled and became ‘The Great Room’
on the roof, where a miniature rifle range had
(although the pipes for the ice rink are still
been installed for firing practice.
underneath the floor). During World War II, The Grosvenor House Hotel played a key role as a home for exiled leaders of occupied Europe. The Dutch Cabinet made the hotel its wartime headquarters and on Bastille Day in 1941, General de Gaulle gave
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Park Street Park Street is the longest street on the
well-known residents. In fact, every house was
Grosvenor Estate and, for a short time, was
at one time or another occupied by a notable
known as Hyde Park Street. It was built over
member of government, the military, the arts
a period of almost 50 years, from the 1720s
or nobility. Statesman and historian, George
through to the 1770s, but was largely rebuilt
Otto Trevelyan lived at No.31 between 1870 and
between 1890 and 1930. Large sections of the
1872; Thomas Hughes, MP and author of Tom
western side of Park Street were demolished
Brown’s School Days, lived at No.33 (where
with the redevelopment of Park Lane and
the Grosvenor House Hotel is now situated)
replaced with large apartment blocks. Much
between 1861 and 1870 and then at No.80 from
of the eastern side was rebuilt in the late 19th
1871 to 1885. In 1785, No.62 was the home of
and early 20th centuries. Many of these houses
the catholic widow, Mrs Fitzherbert, and was
were built in Queen Anne Style, along with
where she secretly married the Prince of Wales
influences from the Arts and Craft movement.
(later George IV).
These are typified by the use of red brick, terracotta, stone detailing and steep roofs. Some early house examples survive on the eastern side, most notably Nos.66-78, between Upper Grosvenor Street and Upper Brook Street, constructed in 1729. Some early 19th century houses also survive at Nos.84-90 and Nos.58-62. The result of this mixture of rebuilding is a great variety of architectural styles stretching from the 1720s through to the 1930s. Park Street has been the home of a many
64 Park Street – The White Bear 1890s – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
37 grosvenor estate: past & present
South Street c.1890 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate page 44-45 South Audley Street – Courtesy of the City of Westminster Archives Centre
South Street South Street was first laid out for building
No.10 was demolished in 1929, but a plaque is
between 1730 and 1739, although most of
placed on the building that replaced her house.
these early houses have now disappeared and
In 1880, next door at No.12 was Earl Lucan
been redeveloped. Since it was constructed,
– the commander of the disastrous Charge of
South Street has been the home of many
the Light Brigade at Balaclava, the survivors of
famous names, including the Duke of Orleans
which were attended by Florence Nightingale.
at No.2 from 1788 to 1793. He voted in favour of the execution of his cousin, Louis XVI but
Across the road at No.15 lived Catherine
was himself guillotined in November 1793.
Walters, ‘the last great Victorian courtesan’.
Much later, from 1902 to 1927, the same house
She moved to South Street in 1872 (although
was the home of the widow of the 1st Duke of
one source states 1883) where Gladstone and
Westminster, Katherine. No.8 was the home of
Bertie, the Prince of Wales, were still regular
the 1st Marquess Cornwalllis, who was forced
visitors. She remained in the house until she
to surrender to George Washington after the
passed away in 1920.
Battle of Yorktown in 1781. From 1830 to 1848, No.18 South Street was No.10 South Street was the home of the
the home of William Lamb, 2nd Viscount
celebrated Florence Nightingale for 45 years,
Melbourne, Prime Minister in 1834 and again
from 1865 until 1910. She had also rented at
from 1835 to 1841; Beau Brummell lived at
No.8 for a year previously, and spent time in
No.22; in 1903, Sir Alex Douglas-Home, who
houses in Chesterfield Street and Park Street.
became Prime Minister in 1963, was born at
In 1860 on doctors’ orders she took to her bed
No.28; and No.30 was the home of Joan Collins
and was to spend the next 20 years as an invalid.
during her first marriage to Ron Kass.
This did not prevent her continuing her mission and she worked relentlessly until her death.
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North Audley Street North Audley Street was laid out between
On the eastern side is St Mark’s Church,
1724 and 1725 and named after Mary Davies’
constructed in 1825 as a Chapel of Ease to St
ancestor, Hugh Audley, who originally owned
George’s, Hanover Square. Designed in classical
the manor of Eia in the 17th century. Unlike
style by Sir John Deering, it was later internally
the other streets surrounding Grosvenor Square,
redesigned by Sir Arthur Blomfield, while
most of the early houses were occupied by
retaining the exterior with the large stone Ionic
tradesmen. The close proximity to Oxford
pillars. It ceased to be a parish church in 1974
Street meant that in the 19th and 20th centuries,
and today is an events centre, ‘One Mayfair’.
most of these early houses were swept away and replaced with blocks of flats, as well as offices, with shops below. The former No.1 North Audley Street, on the corner of Grosvenor Square, was the home of Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston, in 1807. One of the first residents of No.12 was Field Marshal and MP Jean Louis Ligonier, who lived in the house from 1730 until his death in 1770. He joined Nos.11 and 12 together in 1744. The renowned art collector and industrialist, Samuel Courtauld, lived at Nos.11-12 between 1932 and 1947.
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South Audley Street South Audley Street is one of the prime
than a year. In 1768, rioters in support of John
Founded in 1827 they moved to South Audley
shopping streets on the Grosvenor Estate in
Wilkes attacked Bute’s home, breaking the
Street in 1844. The shop was rebuilt across
Mayfair. It was laid out for building between
windows of Lady Bute’s room where she was
the site of Nos.17-21 in 1875 and has been
1725 and 1736 but, along with Mount Street,
sleeping. Lord Bute continued to live in the
described as probably the best commercial
was largely rebuilt during the late 19th and
house until he passed away in 1792.
example of the Queen Anne revival on the
early 20th centuries. However, some early
Grosvenor Estate.
Georgian houses do survive on the southern
The lower eastern side of South Audley Street
stretch between South Street and Hill Street.
also features surviving 18th century houses,
The other prominent building along South
Nos.71-75, along the west side, were designed
Nos.9-16; most notably No.9, on the corner of
Audley Street is the Grosvenor Chapel facing
by Edward Shepherd. No.71, on the corner of
Hill Street, built in 1736. In 1931, the Duke of
Aldford Street. Built in 1730 it was originally
South Street, features a grand Georgian exterior
Westminster arranged for this house to be the
known as Audley Chapel. A number of famous
that has changed very little since it was first
home of the world-famous French designer,
people were buried in the chapel vaults and the
built in 1736, and neighbouring No.72 was the
Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel.
burial grounds behind (now the Mount Street
home of the Comte d’Artois, later King Charles X of France, from 1805 until 1814.
Gardens), including MP John Wilkes; the 4th Today, South Audley Street is dominated by
Earl of Chesterfield; poets, Ambrose Phillips,
the red brick rebuilding of the late 19th century
David Mallet and William Whitehead; Lady
No.75, on the corner of Deanery Street, marks
and is synonymous with a number of prestigious
Mary Wortley Montague; and Greek scholar
the southernmost point of the Grosvenor estate.
retailers. On the western side is James Purdey
and poet, Elizabeth Carter. The cemetery was
In 1754 it became the home of John Stuart,
& Sons, founded in 1814 and renowned as the
closed in 1854 and transformed into a public
3rd Earl of Bute, who extended the house to
gunmakers to kings and the aristocracy for
garden in 1889. During World War II, the
the north. At this time the house also became
generations. They moved to the newly built
Grosvenor Chapel was a popular refuge for
known as ‘Bute House’. Bute rose to become
No.57-60 South Audley Street in 1881. On
American servicemen based nearby.
tutor to George III and was appointed Prime
the other side of the street, at No.19, are china
Minister in 1762, but stayed in the role for less
and glass merchants, Thomas Goode & Co.
43 grosvenor estate: past & present
Carlos Street before redevelopment 1910 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
Mount Street The name Mount Street originates from the
‘paupers’ by the 1880s. It was demolished in
taverns and tradesmen were replaced with
name of ‘Mount Field’ where the Civil War
1886 to make way for new development.
antique dealers and high quality retailers and,
earthwork known as ‘Oliver’s Mount’ was
to the west of South Audley Street, only private
constructed. The street was laid out for building
In 1811, the poet Shelley eloped with the 16
houses were built. It was not only the alteration
during the 1720s but, unlike the prestigious
year old Harriet Westbrook from one of the
in the residents, but the transformation of
street we see today, it was originally dominated
Mount Street coffee houses. However, five years
the architectural appearance from the simple
by small, narrow houses populated primarily
later Harriet, now married to Shelley, drowned
Georgian brick houses to the bold red brick
by tradesmen, as well as taverns and coffee
herself in the Serpentine in Hyde Park after he
and terracotta Queen Anne and Neo-French
houses. The parish workhouse was situated
left her for Mary Wollstonecraft.
Renaissance styles favoured by the Duke. In
where No.103 is today, meaning that, combined
2011, Grosvenor re-created the public realm
with the location of St George’s burial ground,
Towards the end of the 19th century, Mount
in Mount Street centred on the water feature,
Mount Street had rather more humble origins.
Street was completely transformed. The 1st
‘Silence’, by the Japanese architect philosopher
The parish workhouse was built in 1725 for 200
Duke of Westminster instigated a large
Tadao Ando.
people, but was enlarged twice and housed 600
rebuilding programme and the coffee houses,
Carlos Place Carlos Place was originally named Charles
Wedgwood porcelain firm; art critic and author,
originates from the family of Queen Victoria’s
Street and ran directly south from Grosvenor
John Ruskin; and in 1884, No.9 was the home
consort, Prince Albert. The hotel was rebuilt
Square through to Mount Street. It was first
of Oscar Wilde before he moved to Chelsea
between 1894-6 and during World War I was
laid out in 1727 but was later rebuilt in 1892
with his wife.
renamed The Connaught after Queen Victoria’s
curving between Grosvenor Square and
son, the Duke of Connaught, in response to the
Berkeley Square, when it was renamed Carlos
Carlos Place is most noted as the location of
Place. Carlos Place has been the home of a
the Connaught Hotel on the corner of Mount
number of famous residents, including Josiah
Street. It was first built as the Coburg Hotel
Wedgwood, the founder of the world-famous
in 1815 by Francis Grillon and the name
prejudice against Germanic names.
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Bourdon House elevation – Survey of London: Volume 40
Bourdon House Much rebuilding has taken place along Davies
than we see today, having been extended during
Duchess continued on until 1957. It was, for a
Street, both in the 19th and 20th centuries, but
the 1900s. Much of the facade facing Davies
while, the London home of the current Duke,
it still retains one the finest Georgian buildings,
Street is the original building.
before becoming the home of Mallett’s antique
and one of the first built on the Grosvenor estate
dealers. The house was built in the Palladian
in Mayfair. Situated on the corner of Bourdon
At the turn of the 20th century the house was
style and features a carved stone pediment,
Street to the north of Berkeley Square, Bourdon
occupied by the Earl and Countess of Essex,
sash windows and a prominent brick wall
House was built in around 1723 for Justice
but during World War I, when the 2nd Duke
surrounding a paved court yard, with a wrought
of the Peace for Middlesex and vestryman,
of Westminster had loaned Grosvenor House
iron gateway. The interior retains original 18th
William Bourdon. It is also unique as being
to the government for the war effort, it became
century features, including wood panelling and
built as a detached house rather than a terraced
the home of the Duke. After the war, the Duke
the staircase. Today, it is the location of Alfred
row, and when it was being constructed it would
chose to remain at Bourdon House, and after
Dunhill and is Grade II* listed.
have been surrounded by fields and market
the demolition of Grosvenor House it became
gardens, giving it the impression of a country
his permanent home. The Duke remained in
house. However, when completed it was smaller
the house until he passed away in 1953 and the
47 grosvenor estate: past & present
Davies Street Davies Street was named after Mary Davies,
it was competing with the already established
Streets on the west side of Davies Street, is
heiress to the manor who married Sir Thomas
St George’s Market (on the corner of Gilbert
named after the former Three Kings Tavern,
Grosvenor. When first laid out, the northern
and Davies Street) and never really succeeded,
which formerly sat at the entrance to the
stretch of Davies Street was originally narrower
and was demolished in 1860. Davies Street was
yard from the 1720s until it was demolished
and bent to be parallel to South Molton Row,
extended straight through to Oxford Street and
in 1818. It is noted for its archway with a low
following an old pathway known as Shug Lane.
the site of the old market was replaced in 1889
pyramidal roof and ornate cupola with a clock.
The first lease was granted in July 1721 to
by John Bolding & Sons, sanitary engineers and
It is understood that the estate surveyor only
Thomas Barlow. Much of the area was a mixture
manufacturers. The new red brick and terracotta
allowed the clock on the condition that it did
of small houses and trade, including food shops
building, in a Renaissance style, was designed by
not strike. Nos.24-25 Davies Street, between
and pubs.
Wimperis & Arber.
Mount Street and Mount Row, was the former location for the gunsmith, Joseph Manton,
At the top of Davies Street, where today’s
No.53, joined with No.66 Brook Street, was
who ran a shooting gallery regularly attended
Gray’s Antique Market is situated, was
the Grosvenor Estate Office, until 2000. Three
by exclusive gentlemen clients, including the
Grosvenor Market, built in 1785. However,
Kings Yard, between Grosvenor and Brook
poet Byron.
Duke Street was laid out during 1724 but, along
became the Cathedral of the Ukranian Catholic
designed by C. Stanley Peach and opened in
with other parts of the estate, was largely rebuilt
Church.
1905. To compensate for the loss of the gardens,
Duke Street during the late 19th century. On the corner of
the paved area on top was laid out as an Italian
Weighhouse Street is the King’s Weighhouse
Between Duke Street and Balderton Street
garden and opened in 1906. After closing to
Church, designed by Alfred Waterhouse in
is the Duke Street Electricity Substation,
the public in the early 1980’s, the area was re-
1888. Constructed in red brick with terracotta
featuring the imposing Baroque style pavilions
opened by Grosvenor in 2007 and is now the
dressings, along with a tripartite entrance, the
in Portland stone at either end. Built on the site
subject of a major public realm improvement
church was completed in 1891. In 1965 it
of the Duke Street Gardens, the substation was
scheme.
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Aldford, Dunraven & Green Streets Aldford Street was laid out for building between
the 1750s, but was rebuilt during the 1870s and
with new, larger houses to attract new tenants.
1730 and 1739. It was originally named Chapel
1880s. It has been home to a number of famous
Since that time, there has been a number of
Street but renamed in 1886 after the village of
names, including the actress Lillie Langtry,
prominent residents, including the Canon of St
Aldford on the Grosvenors’ estate in Cheshire.
who lived at No.19, and was where the artist
Paul’s Cathedral and founder of the Edinburgh
It is most renowned as being the former home
James McNeill Whistler decorated part of the
Review, the Reverend Sydney Smith at No.59;
of celebrated wit, man of fashion and friend of
house. No.17 Dunraven Street was the home
and from 1931 until the late 1940s, the
the Prince Regent, Beau Brummel. He lived at
of celebrated author P.G. Wodehouse between
Princess Royal and her husband, the 6th Earl
No.13 in 1816, but in 1818 was forced to flee
1924 and 1934.
of Harewood, at No.32.
to France because of unpaid debts. It is believed the poet Shelley also lived at No.23 in 1813.
Green Street was built between 1725 and 1757 and named after the builder, John Green,
Dunraven Street was formerly known as
who in 1737 died by falling down a well in
Norfolk Street, but was renamed in 1939 after
Upper Grosvenor Street. The early houses
a former resident, the 4th Earl of Dunraven
were predominately home to tradespeople but
and Mount-Earl. It was first developed during
during the 1820s, large parts were redeveloped
George Bryan (Beau) Brummell 1778 – 1840 Brummell, a friend of George IV, was the most
with him and he was forced to flee to France to
famous of the Dandies and rumours about his
escape his massive gambling debts. He continued
flamboyant lifestyle were rife. It was claimed
to live the highlife and was nicknamed the “King
that he took five hours to get dressed and that
of Calais”, but eventually found himself living on
his boots were cleaned with Champagne. His
handouts in Caen, where he died in March 1840
extravagant lifestyle would eventually catch up
aged 62.
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Nineteenth century redevelopment During the late 19th and early 20th centuries,
During the late 19th century, the 1st Duke
worked extensively on philanthropic efforts,
many houses on the Grosvenor Estate in Mayfair
of Westminster began a large rebuilding
including animal welfare and temperance
were rebuilt or re-fronted to bring them up
programme across the estate. Over a period
– between 1869 and 1891 he reduced the
-to-date with the latest architectural styles.
of 30 years from 1869, Mount Street, Duke
number of pubs in Mayfair from 47 to eight
This period also brought in new owners and
Street, Aldford Street, large sections of South
(only five remain today) and specified that
occupants who were keen to demonstrate their
and North Audley Streets, as well as Park
they be built to look like private residences. He
success, as well as impress their neighbours with
Street, Carlos Place and most of South Street
also promoted better housing for the poor and
new balconies, balustrades, external decorations
and Green Street, were all rebuilt. The Duke
built a number of flats for artisans in Mayfair,
and porticos.
favoured the bold red brick Queen Anne Style
in particular to the north near Oxford Street.
which dominates these streets today. He also
Artisans development
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Belgravia
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Early Belgravia: Five Fields Today, Belgravia is known for its exclusivity,
houses in Ebury Street constructed in 1720, it
a notoriously dangerous area, frequented by
fashionable shopping and luxurious houses, but
remained undeveloped until 1825, when more
thieves and criminals. The lack of lighting and
the early history of the area couldn’t have been
houses were built along Knightsbridge to the
buildings meant it was a popular haunt for
more different. In the 16th century, Belgravia
north and Grosvenor Place to the east.
highwaymen and footpads (thieves on foot),
was simply known as Ebury Farm and covered
with many stories recorded about robberies and
430 acres of meadows and pastureland and
Up until the early 19th century, the land behind
murders. The open fields were also a popular
was primarily marshy ground unsuitable for
Knightsbridge, Sloane Street and Grosvenor
destination for duels. The only road to cross the
building.
Place was still open fields and marsh land
area was the King’s private road and where the
known as ‘Five Fields’. The name originated
road crossed the river was a bridge known as
The area formed part of Mary Davies’
from the way tracks and paths divided the
‘Bloody Bridge’ due to the number of attacks and
substantial inheritance from her father,
area into separate sections. During the day,
murders that took place there. The infamous
Alexander Davies, and became part of the
the fields were used for market gardening,
fields were also used for cock-fighting, as well
Grosvenor Estate upon her marriage to Sir
apparently well-known for asparagus, as well
as bull and bear-baiting.
Thomas Grosvenor in 1677. Although some
as watercress from the banks of Westbourne
buildings began to appear on the outskirts of
River, and grazing animals and hanging out
the area in the 18th century, with the oldest
washing. However, at night, Five Fields became
53 grosvenor estate: past & present
Cubbitopolis The name Belgrave originates from Belgrave
Five Fields date from around 1812 when the
in Cheshire, the family seat of the Grosvenor
estate surveyor, James Wyatt, drew up plans for
family. However, the name ‘Belgravia’ was
the area, but the first building agreements were
invented from the fact that Belgrave Square
only made in 1821, which was well-timed with
sat within the heart of the new grand building
the recently renovated Buckingham House for
scheme by Cubitt. The area has also been called
George IV by John Nash.
‘Cubittopolis’ and to this day, it is seen as one of Thomas Cubitt’s greatest achievements.
On 18th March 1825, an agreement was made
However, this does distract from the fact
between Lord Grosvenor and Thomas Cubitt
that many other architects and builders were
for the development of most of the estate, apart
involved in the development of Belgravia.
from a few specific areas which were given to Seth Smith, Joseph Cundy and a few other
Of course, Thomas Cubitt held a lot of
smaller builders. In 1826 it was Cubitt, with the
responsibility for the building of Belgravia,
approval of the Grosvenor Estate, who obtained
but estate surveyors from the Cundy family
the Grosvenor Place and District Improvement
were also heavily involved, as were architects,
Act, with 36 Trustees responsible for paving,
Seth Smith and George Basevi. In fact, the first
lighting, policing, drainage etc.
plans for building on the Grosvenor Estate in
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Thomas Cubitt - Master Builder Thomas Cubitt was born in 1788 in Buxton,
One other key feature of Cubitt’s legacy in
near Norwich, to William, a carpenter, and
Belgravia was his ingenious way of overcoming
Agnes Scarlett. Cubitt followed in his father’s
the problems with the swampy ground. Firstly,
footsteps and trained as a carpenter, after which
Cubitt dug up the top layer of clay and used it
he undertook a year long voyage to India as
to make bricks and, secondly, used earth taken
a ship’s carpenter. Upon his return, at the age
from the recently excavated St Katherine’s
of 21, he made his way to London in order
Dock to level the ground and allow for the
to seek his fortune and, with his brother, set
foundations of houses to be built on gravel.
up a building business on Grey’s Inn Road that was able to supply all of the building
In 1819 Cubitt married Mary Anne Warner
trades, as well as the architectural designs for
with whom he had 12 children. He was often
a house. Along with his brothers, William and
referred to as an architect, but insisted on
Lewis, the Cubitts took care of land drainage,
being called a builder. He became known
sewerage, roads, lighting and gardens, as well
as ‘the emperor of the building trade’, but
as the construction of the houses and mews.
continued living a modest lifestyle, refusing a
The Cubitts employed their own tradesmen –
title from Queen Victoria. He was well liked and
bricklayers, masons, carpenters, plumbers and
respected: “Mr Cubitt has done so much for the
painters and decorators – and became well
improvement of London, he has ever shown so
known for good workmanship and efficiency,
much solicitude for the large body of operatives
further establishing them as the high quality
employed by him, and he is so estimable in
builders of the age.
every relation of life ..” (The Builder 1851).
Cubitt’s first big venture was the development
Thomas Cubitt died at Denbies House near
of Bloomsbury for the Duke of Bedford but it
Dorking in 1855, leaving an estate worth £1
is the work resulting from the 1825 agreement
million in one of the longest wills on record.
made with Lord Grosvenor for which he is best remembered.
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Belgrave Square Belgrave Square is the centrepiece of Cubitt’s
George Basevi. Basevi is remembered as being
the largest terraced houses in London: four
development and where the name of ‘Belgravia’
Sir John Soane’s finest pupil, as well as the
storeyed, stuccoed and featuring Corinthian
originated. Lord Grosvenor, 1st Marquess of
cousin of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli,
pillars or pilasters and elaborate stucco
Westminster, commissioned Thomas Cubitt to
and for his untimely death, falling from
decoration in the course above the attic.
oversee the development of his estate, but in
scaffolding at Ely Cathedral in 1845.
However, while giving the impression of a
Belgrave Square the development was handled
grand uniform appearance, the facades are not
by the Haldimand Syndicate. George and
The building of the terraces took place from
William Haldimand, along with Alexander
1825 until 1828, although building in the
Louis Prevost took over much of the building
square was still ongoing into the 1830s. At
of the terraces of Belgrave Square with architect
the time of completion, Basevi’s designs were
identical and there are slight variations in each.
Four Corners The four corners of Belgrave Square were
In the north western corner, No.12 was leased
It has since been altered a number of times
uniquely laid out for separate large villas.
to Earl Brownlow, who employed Sir Robert
and is now the home of the Spanish Ambassador.
Three of the plots were leased to tenants who
Smirke to design the house. It later became
In the south eastern corner, No.37, known as
employed their own architects, although the
the home of the Earl of Ancaster and today
Seaford House, was leased to the 3rd Earl of
fourth villa, in the north east, was abandoned
is the home of the Portuguese Ambassador.
Sefton, who employed Philip Hardwicke to
with the building of Grosvenor Crescent.
No.24, in the south western corner, was leased
design his house. It was constructed by Cubitt
However, No.49, on the angle of Grosvenor
to a Brighton developer, Thomas Kemp, who
and completed in 1846. It later became the
Crescent, slightly compensates for the loss. It
employed H.E. Kendall to design his house.
home of Lord de Walden, who renamed it
was designed by Cubitt for Sidney Herbert,
The house, later known as Downshire House,
Sefton House after an ancestor. Today it is
1st Baron Herbert of Lea, and completed in
was completed in 1834 but Kemp was forced
the Royal College of Defence Studies.
the late 1840s. It later became the home of the
to let it rather than live in it himself, and in
Duke of Richmond, and today is the residence
1837 it became the home of Viscount Hill,
of the Argentine Ambassador.
Commander-in-Chief of the British Army.
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View of the East Side of Belgrave Square 1827 – Courtesy of City of Westminster Archives Centre
grosvenor estate: past & present
Distinguished residents of Belgrave Square Since its completion, Belgrave Square has
aristocrats. In fact, there were so many notable
been a highly sought-after address in London.
residents it is difficult to record them all here,
Almost immediately, houses were taken by
but below is a selection of illustrious names
high-ranking politicians, military men and
who have lived in Belgrave Square.
Charles Grey
Kitty Stephens
Little is known of Charles Grey’s early history.
Kitty Stephens was one of the most famous and
He attended school in Marylebone and Eton,
popular singers of her generation. She was born
Duchess of Kent (1786 – 1861)
before attending Cambridge. Grey went on
at 85 Park Street where her talent was spotted
to have a distinguished political career and
at an early age. She trained under Gesualdo
Born in Coburg in 1786, she married Edward,
was a member of the Whig Party. As Prime
Lanza for five years before becoming a pupil
Minister he oversaw the reformation of the
of Thomas Welsh. She started her career on
British government and was among the primary
£12 per week and at her pinnacle commanded
architects of the 1832 Reform Act. He is perhaps
£2500 over the winter season. Kitty had a
now better known for his personal life. In 1794
number of famous suitors, including Lord
he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of the
Milton and the Duke of Devonshire. At the age
1st Baron Ponsonby, who bore him 11 children.
of 34, in 1838, she married the octogenarian 5th
Grey had a serious of affairs throughout his
Earl of Essex. He died in 1839, but the countess
lifetime and most famously with Georgiana,
lived for a further 43 years and continued to live
Duchess of Devonshire, with whom he had an
on Belgrave Square until her death in 1882.
illegitimate daughter, Eliza Courtney. She was raised by his parents, as his sister.
Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld
Duke of Kent, the 4th son of George III in 1818. Her daughter (Queen) Victoria was born in 1819 at Kensington Palace and soon after, the Duke died of pneumonia, leaving the Duchess in dire straits and in fear that her daughter would be kidnapped by her royal relatives. The mother and daughter had a strained relationship and Victoria was forced to sleep in her mother’s chamber until her ascension to the throne. However, the last twenty years of her life were spent harmoniously at court and she is buried in a mausoleum at Windsor Home Park.
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Twenty-first century Belgrave Square Along with many large houses and villas in
commercial use; in particular Belgrave Square
There are still some residential homes, including
central London, the effect of two World Wars,
is an extremely popular location for embassies.
three buildings that were divided into flats, and
higher taxes and death duties meant that few
In fact, there are said to be over 20 embassies
the number of buildings being converted back
could afford to live in these large houses any
in this area alone. Belgrave Square is also the
into houses has increased in recent years – there
longer. In the late 20th century, many of the
home of many Societies and Associations,
are now 10 in addition to the ambassadorial
houses were converted for institutional and
including the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
residences.
Eaton Terrace 1928-30 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
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Eaton Square The name ‘Eaton’ originates from the
Building in Eaton Square began in 1826 but
took a little longer to complete, with building
Grosvenors’ country seat, Eaton Hall in
was not completed until the 1850s. The variation
starting in 1830 and not finishing until 1847.
Cheshire. Eaton Square has a slightly unusual
in architectural detail on some of the homes is
The third terrace, also by Cubitt, was different
layout, being divided by the King’s Road. The
due to the length of time in construction and
again and constructed in an Italianate style.
King’s private road, formerly a small footpath,
the changing tastes in architecture from the
was created by Charles II for the sole use of
1820s to the 1850s.The three northern terraces
The southern terraces were built by Seth Smith
the King and his family travelling to Hampton
are by Thomas Cubitt and his brother Lewis,
and George Sutton. Seth started work in 1825,
Court Palace. Anyone else wishing to use the
with the earlier sections constructed closest to
but in 1840 he passed the development to
road required a token, which was presented to
St Peter’s Church between 1826 and 1830 in a
Charles James Freake, who is remembered
the toll booth at the junction with Grosvenor
simplified late Georgian style, with the exterior
for his building in South Kensington. He
Place. The entire stretch of the King’s Road,
in stock brick and stucco only on the ground
completed the western section, as well as
from Grosvenor Place to Fulham, was opened
and basement levels. The central terrace is in the
several sites in the central block.
to the public in 1830.
more familiar stucco with a continuous line of porches with fluted Doric columns. The terrace
St Peter’s Church On the eastern edge of Eaton Square is
few years it was devastated by fire and was
St Peter’s Church, the location for many
completely rebuilt in 1837. It was later enlarged
fashionable Belgravia weddings. It was
and remodelled by Sir Arthur Blomfield during
designed by Henry Hakewill and part of the
the 1870s. Misfortune struck again in 1988
early development, with Lord Grosvenor laying
when St Peter’s was once again almost entirely
the foundation stone in 1824. It was completed
destroyed by fire. It was restored by architects
three years later and consecrated by the Bishop
John and Nicki Braithwaite in 1991 with the
of London in June 1827. However, within a
original facade retained.
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Eaton Terrace 1928-30 – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
grosvenor estate: past & present
Distinguished residents of Eaton Square Like Belgrave Square, Eaton Square has been
He was forced to resign from the Austrian
The 20th century brought great change to Eaton
the home of many distinguished residents. The
government during the revolutions of 1848
Square, particularly after the two World Wars.
first tenant to move in was William Whitbread
and took temporary refuge in London.
Under the 1939 Defence Regulations, many
of the brewing family, who was followed by
houses in Eaton Square were requisitioned by
others such as Lord Truro, who was Lord
Other notable residents have included the
the government during the war and for some
Chancellor, and Sir George Gray, a devoted
official residence of the Speaker of the House
time afterward. After the end of World War II,
servant and friend of Queen Victoria.
of Commons during the rebuilding of the
in 1946 and 1947, plans were then put in place
Houses of Parliament; and No.93 was the
to redevelop the square by converting most of
Former British Prime Minister, Neville
home of Stanley Baldwin, later Earl Baldwin
the houses into flats and maisonettes.
Chamberlain, lived at No.37 Eaton Square
of Bewdley, between 1920-3. Baldwin was three
from 1923 until 1935; while No.44 was home
times Prime Minister and also the cousin of
to Austrian statesman, Prince Klemens
Rudyard Kipling; No.114 was the home of
Metternich, Prince of Metternich-Winneburg-
Lady Baden-Powell. Eaton Square was also
Beilstein. When Foreign Minister, he was one
the home of renowned American philanthropist,
of the principal organisers of the Congress of
George Peabody, who is remembered for his
Vienna at the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
social housing across London.
Vivien Leigh (1913-1967)
for which she won an Oscar, and became an
England in 1920 where she attended school
married in 1940, however, by the mid 1950s
Leigh was born in Darjeeling and moved to in Roehampton with fellow actress Maureen O’Sullivan. In 1932 she married barrister, Herbert Leigh Holman, with whom she had a daughter. She was cast in Fire over England in 1937, where she met and fell in love with the actor Laurence Olivier and in 1939 she was cast in her most famous role, Scarlett O’Hara,
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international star. Leigh and Olivier were Leigh began to suffer the manic episodes which lead to the breakup of her second marriage. Although she continued to perform, she was plagued by ill health and died from tuberculosis in her flat in 54 Eaton Square in July 1967. That night the exterior lights of London’s West End theatres were darkened for an hour.
Eaton Square – Courtesy of City of Westminster Archives Centre
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Upper Belgrave Street & Belgrave Place The streets off Belgrave Square have been
lived at No.12 Belgrave Street and the poet
as Upper Eccleston Street, but was renamed
highly sought-after and were a vital part of
Alfred Lord Tennyson, lived at No.9 in 1880.
in 1870. No.3 was the home of Lord Charles
Cubitt’s design for the Grosvenor Estate. Upper
No.13 was the home of George Fitzclarence,
Wellesley and is also believed to have been the
Belgrave Street, first known simply as Belgrave
eldest son of the ten children presented to King
home of the Duke of Wellington.
Street, was laid out by Thomas Cubitt in 1826,
William IV by his mistress, the actress, Mrs
with No.1 Belgrave Street said to have been
Jordan. Fitzclarence became a Lieutenant of
the first completed house in Belgravia. People
the Tower of London and later became Earl of
began to move in during the late 1820s, but
Munster in 1831, before committing suicide
it wasn’t until 1835 that the entire street was
in 1842. No.13 later became the home of Lord
occupied. In 1827, Thomas Cubitt himself
Harewood. Belgrave Place was originally known
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Eaton Place Eaton Place was constructed to accompany
his first musical recital in London at No.99
nearby Eaton Square and has been
Eaton Place and in 1922, No.36 was the site
immortalised by the television programme
of the assassination of Field-Marshal Sir
Upstairs Downstairs, which clearly illustrates
Henry Wilson who was shot by two Irishmen
the type of household that would have existed
as he was getting out of his car. Eaton Place
in Belgravia during the 19th and early 20th
continued to be the home of many notable
centuries. Building development took place
residents, with many retired military leaders,
over a number of years, between 1828 and the
aristocracy and politicians.
1840s. Thomas Cubitt used a number of the houses in Eaton Place as his offices throughout the development of Belgravia. It has also been the home of scientist, Lord Kelvin, who lived at No.15. In 1848 the composer Chopin gave
Ebury Street Ebury Street sits on the southern border of
Ebury Street was the home of Mozart when
Belgravia, close to Victoria Station, and was
he was a child and was where he wrote his first
built across the former Ebury Farm in 1820.
symphony at the age of eight in 1764. The Irish
The street has seen many historic characters
writer, George Moore, lived at No.121, where
walking its pavements, including George III
he wrote Conversations in Ebury Street and
and his family, who walked along Ebury Street
Alfred Lord Tennyson lived at No.42 in 1847.
to the famous Chelsea Bun House. No.180
Eaton Square – Courtesy of City of Westminster Archives Centre
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Motcomb & Kinnerton Streets Today, Motcomb Street is a small enclave of
houses with accommodation above, artisans’
shops in Belgravia. It was originally named
houses, small businesses and pubs. Today, it
Kinnerton Mews, but the name changed shortly
still retains a feeling of a small village. Earl
after completion in 1830. The north side of
Mountbatten of Burma, who was assassinated
Motcomb Street features the stucco front of
by the IRA in 1979, maintained a house at No.2
the ‘Pantechnicon’, built by Seth Smith to
Kinnerton Street from 1968 until his death.
designs by Joseph Jopling in 1830. It formerly
Studio Place, renamed in 1931, was built as
housed carriage showrooms, shops and extensive
College Place in 1844. It contains Bradbrook
warehousing, with a bazaar in the block opposite.
House which, until 1890, was a series of schools
The supposedly fire-proof warehouse behind
of anatomy. It was then converted into artists’
burnt down in 1874 and was replaced by a
studios, renamed Kinnerton Studios in 1893
shopping arcade and garden.
and then Bradbrook House in 1948. During World War I it was used as a hospital.
The Kinnerton Street area was developed from 1824 by Seth Smith and named after a village in Cheshire on The Grosvenors’ estates. The street was built as a service road, including coach
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Living in Belgravia In the design for Belgravia, landowners did
today, the majority of the pubs in Belgravia are
not want shops to be seen, but rather, along
tucked away in the mews. Through traffic was
with pubs, they were banished to the mews and
also banned from the estate, which was enforced
smaller streets on the outskirts. Cubitt planned
by bars across Pont Street and the King’s Road,
for the area to be exclusively private houses but,
attended by barkeepers in top-hats, who were
unusually, Seth Smith deliberately created the
given strict instructions to turn back commercial
Pantechnicon in Motcomb Street, as well as
vehicles and unauthorised private carriages.
Halkin Arcade, which is now Waitrose. Still
The Wiltons Wilton Crescent and Wilton Place were
Today, Wilton Row is renowned for the
both built by Seth Smith between 1824 and
Grenadier pub, believed to be one of the most
1828. The name Wilton originated from Lady
haunted pubs in London and named for its
Eleanor Egerton, daughter of the 1st Earl of
close association with the former Foot-Guards
Wilton, who married Robert Grosvenor.
Barracks. Wilton Row, built by Thomas Cubitt, was first known as Wilton Crescent Mews and
Wilton Place was built on the site of an old
completed in the early 1830s.
cow yard from 1827. St Paul’s Church in Wilton Place was built in 1840-43 by Thomas Cundy, junior.
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Chester Square Chester Square is one of the key squares of
Chester Square has also been home to
Belgravia. It was originally laid out as streets but
many illustrious residents including Mary
in 1828, Joseph Cundy, Seth Smith and another
Wollstonecraft, author of Frankenstein and
developer, Watkins, proposed a new layout as
wife of poet, Shelley, in No.24. No.26 was the
an oblong square. The name ‘Chester’ originates
home of John St Loe Strachey, son of Sir John
from the city of Chester, where the Grosvenors’
Strachey who rose to become a successful
country seat, Eaton Hall, is located. Building
journalist and editor of The Spectator from
began in around 1832, but was not completed
1898 to 1925. During World War II, No.77
until the 1840s. The south east and north east
was the location for the Secretariat of Queen
terraces were built by Thomas Cundy, probably
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and it is also
to the designs of his brother Thomas Cundy II.
believed that the spy, Guy Burgess, lived in
The north west side was built by Seth Smith,
the square, staying with a friend.
with a mixture of plain stucco and more ornate Italianate designs. The square is dominated by St Michael’s Church, built by Thomas Cundy in a decorative gothic style. It was completed in 1846, but altered again in 1874.
Kinnerton Street – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
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St George’s Hospital – Lanesborough Hotel On the corner of Knightsbridge and Hyde
the old house was converted and extended, but
as a half-sovereign taken from Mr. Brunel’s
Park Corner is the grand Lanesborough Hotel,
by the 1880s it was clear that a new building
windpipe and money and knives taken from
formerly St George’s Hospital, which is on the
was required.
patients’ stomachs.
Viscount Lanesborough. The original house was
It was designed by William Wilkins, who was
St George’s Hospital continued at Hyde Park
built on the outskirts of London in 1719 when
also responsible for the designs of the National
Corner until 1980, when it relocated to Tooting.
this area was still countryside. Lanesborough
Gallery in Trafalgar Square. The new hospital,
The Grosvenor Estate then bought back the site
was most notably responsible for the gilding
built in a neo-Greek style with projecting wings
and in 1988 it was agreed the hospital would
of the upper gallery around the dome of St
and a large portico of four pillars facing Green
be converted into a new high class hotel, now
Paul’s Cathedral, at his own expense. He passed
Park, was built in 1827-29. The new building
known as the Lanesborough Hotel.
away in 1724 and by 1733 the house had been
not only included hospital wards, but also a
acquired by the governors of the Westminster
chapel, a museum, lecture room and private
Infirmary to convert into a hospital. Over time,
apartments. The museum held curiosities such
site of the former ‘country house’ of James Lane,
Tattersalls Behind St George’s Hospital, today’s
as ‘the corner’. It was founded in 1773 by
Lanesborough Hotel, was the famous Tattersall’s
Richard Tattersall, former training groom to
horse market, “so renowned through all the
the Duke of Kingston. By 1864, Tattersalls had
breadth and length of horse-loving, horse-
become completely surrounded by buildings
breeding, horse-racing Europe”. Tattersalls was
and streets and it was decided to relocate it
the destination point for buying and selling
further west to Knightsbridge Green, where the
horses across the country, as well as those for
Tattersall Tavern is the only real reminder of
Europe seeking out the best breeds for the
the former horse auctioneers in Knightsbridge.
nobility and gentry and was popularly known Ordnance Survey map showing Belgrave Square and surrounding areas 1869
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Grosvenor Crescent & Grosvenor Place Grosvenor Crescent was laid out from 1837
Thomas Cundy the younger was responsible for
over the corner of Belgrave Square through the
much of the building between 1865 and 1871
grounds of the old Tattersalls horse auction mart
in a 17th century French Renaissance style.
but was not completed until 1860. The houses in the northern terrace were completed by Seth
The new houses along Grosvenor Place were
Smith and those on the south were by Cubitt.
soon taken up by wealthy residents, including Baron Sir Anthony de Rothschild of the
Grosvenor Place was one of the earliest parts of
banking family. No.17, built in 1875 by R.J.
Belgravia to be built on, with the first building
Waller became the Irish Embassy.
to the south, the Lock Hospital, built in 1746 when much of the surrounding area was covered
Since the turn of the 20th century, many of
in fields. It was originally built as an isolation
the houses along Grosvenor Place have been
hospital, in particular to cure females “suffering
converted for commercial or institutional use,
from diseases contracted by a vicious way of life�.
with large sections entirely rebuilt.
Grosvenor Place was laid out with houses from 1767, shortly after George III made Buckingham House a royal residence. The original 18th century houses were large detached villas, with a number of notable residents. However, by the 1860s and after Belgravia had become the centre of fashionable London, it was decided to redevelop Grosvenor Place.
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Halkin, Chapel & Wilton Streets Halkin Street is dominated by Forbes House,
Chapel Street was named after the former
Wilton Street was built between 1819 and
formerly known as Mortimer House, a nine
chapel attached to the Lock Hospital, which
1825. No.8 was the home of Henry Gray, who
bay house built with yellow brick and hidden
was located here. It was first built up in the late
worked at St George’s Hospital and wrote the
behind a walled forecourt with trees. The
18th century, but only partly completed at the
anatomy textbook, Gray’s Anatomy that is
original part of the house was built in around
turn of the 19th century. Most notably, it has
still used by medical students today. The house
1810 by Sir Robert Smirke for the 5th Earl of
been the former home of Richard Jones, teacher
was also home to actress and stage performer
Oxford, but it was later extended in 1824 for
of elocution, who became known as ‘Gentleman
Miss Ruth Draper during 1936. Wilton Street
the future 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and again in
Jones’. He was a highly sought after teacher for
was also the home of former Prime Minister
around 1912 for the 8th Earl of Granard, who
politicians, preachers and lawyers who needed
Edward Heath who moved to No.17 after
was responsible for the name of ‘Forbes’. The
assistance with their speech.
losing the 1974 election.
Caledonian Club was built in 1913 on the site of the Belgrave Chapel, which had been built by Sir Robert Smirke in 1811.
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Pimlico
South Belgravia
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Pimlico – Millbank During the 13th century, the southern area of
create a small community of farmers and
18th century, the area had become disreputable
Pimlico, part of the manor of Eia, was the site
gardeners. Much of the area became market
and with the increasing urban development and
of a moated manor house known as ‘La Neyte’,
gardens, providing fruit and vegetables for the
the building of Victoria Station in the 19th
home of the Abbot Berking, which formerly
London markets.
century, the gardens and entertainments were
stood near today’s Warwick Place. To the north
swept away.
was the home of the bailiff, Ebury Farm, near
The manor house was still recorded in 1614
today’s Chester Square and Ebury Square. After
but by the 1630s, the whole area had begun to
It was not until the 1840s that the full scale
a severe storm in 1362, La Neyte was rebuilt
change, with further houses constructed and the
development of “Mr Cubitt’s District” began.
by the ‘building Abbot’, Nicholas Littlington.
name of the area changing to ‘the Neathouses’.
Cubitt referred to the area as “South Belgravia”,
It was also during this period that the convent
It became a popular area of entertainment, with
but it would later be called Pimlico.
attached to the Abbey of Westminster increased
gardens and food and drink and Samuel Pepys
its income by building additional houses to
was a regular visitor. However, by the end of the
Grosvenor House Grosvenor House, also known as Peterborough
of Peterborough married his second wife, the
House, formerly sat to the south of today’s
celebrated singer Mrs Anastasia Robinson, in
Horseferry Road, very close to MI5
the house. A short time later, the Grosvenor
headquarters, Thames House. The house was
family set about rebuilding the house, and it
first constructed by Alexander Davies after he
remained on the bank of the Thames until the
inherited the Manor of Ebury and it was leased
early 19th century when it was demolished to
to the Earls of Peterborough by Sir Robert
make way for new streets and houses.
Grosvenor in the 1730s. In 1735 the 3rd Earl
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Pimlico Wharf & the Grosvenor Canal In the 18th century, a large part of the southern
Grosvenor Canal by Thomas Cubitt in 1823.
part of a new housing development, Grosvenor
section of the estate was taken up by Pimlico
However, only a few years later in 1852, the
Waterside, and only the old lock gates remain
Wharf, created in 1725 to provide access
Chelsea Waterworks Company relocated to
along the embankment. The old waterworks
from the Thames to the Chelsea Waterworks
Surbiton and Pimlico Wharf was used as the
pumping station can still be seen along
Company, which formerly supplied water to
site for Victoria Railway Station. Today, the
Grosvenor Road.
much of London. It was transformed into the
remnants of the canal have been included as
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Thomas Cubitt in Pimlico During the early 19th century, Pimlico was
acquired land on neighbouring estates, enabling
joinery and glass works, plaster and steel works,
largely industrial. To the east was the Hunter
him to plan road layouts that made the most
and facilities for making bricks and cement.
and Bramah steelworks, near today’s Denbigh
of the site rather than being limited by estate
Cubitt also used the latest steam-driven
Street, and to the west was Smith’s distillery.
boundaries.
technology but unfortunately, fire broke out
The original road to the distillery was known
in 1854 and vast sections of the works were
as Baker’s Lane, but was later renamed
Cubitt brought in huge amounts of soil to level
Distillery Lane, with the northern stretch
out the ground and balance the wet marshy
becoming Sutherland Street.
soil for building, as he did with neighbouring
Pimlico is not only famous for the long stucco
Belgravia. Along with building around a quarter
terraced houses, but also for the layout of
By the 1820s things were about to drastically
of the houses, Cubitt also monitored the designs
streets in grids and diagonals, which made the
change in Pimlico. Up until this time, much of
and building of other contractors, including
maximum use of space for building in-between
the riverside land was marshy (which was why
the 2nd Marquess of Westminster, to create the
ancient tracks and rights of way. Cubitt was well
it was so good for market gardening), making
uniform appearance that Pimlico is still famous
known for his high standards, but he also aimed
it unfit for building. However, its proximity to
for today. Cubitt would approve designs, or even
to offer the latest in house designs and as early
Westminster, along with the remodelling of
provide them from his own drawing office.
as the 1820s, even the smaller houses were built
Buckingham House in 1821 for George IV,
This control over the development also meant
with inside toilets and bathrooms. Building
created a new interest in the riverside area.
there were often strict covenants on the use of
across Pimlico continued throughout the mid
The development of Belgravia to the north
properties, which still exist.
19th century and by the 1870s, there was very
also changed attitudes to Millbank and Pimlico,
completely destroyed.
little open land left. This part of the Grosvenor
and the renowned builder Thomas Cubitt began
The immense quantity of new streets and
Estate, comprising some 66 acres, was sold by
to plant new developments. Cubitt purchased
houses meant that in 1839, Cubitt actually
the family in 1952. The funds supported a new
the remainder of the leases across the stretch
created a factory and building works on site,
investment in Vancouver, the beginnings of
of land south of today’s Lupus Street and also
near today’s Dolphin Square. The site had a
Grosvenor’s international property business.
Map of the Grosvenor Estate as in 1723 (Drawn by estate surveyor Thomas Cundy 1822) – Courtesy of The Grosvenor Estate
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The Grosvenor Estate today The extent of the Grosvenor Estate in London has changed from its original form in the 17th century, but today it continues to be home to some of the most sought after addresses in London. The architectural legacy, along with the stories of former residents, means that it is one of the most fascinating parts of London, and its history is essentially a history of London. The Grosvenor Estate aims to retain its heritage while also creating ‘great places to live, work and visit’. Their recent work on regeneration and improvements, as well as preservation, means it is maintaining the quality of the estate as Sir Richard Grosvenor envisaged 300 years ago.
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Chesterton Humberts: appreciating heritage With our own history dating back to 1805, Chesterton Humberts understands the importance of heritage. We appreciate the extent to which history can have an effect on an area and greatly value the history of individual houses and, as property experts, know that by understanding the history of a house or area, we can bring properties to life and better explain the context that they sit within.
melanie backe-hansen This history of the Grosvenor Estate was researched and compiled by specialist house historian and author of ‘The Secrets Behind Your Front Door’, Melanie Backe-Hansen. Additional support and research was provided by Rebecca Howe of our Westminster & Pimlico branch.
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