belgravia london history

Mozart wrote his first ever symphony at 180 Ebury Street, at just eight years old. … Synopsis from ITV press release: Belgravia is a story of secrets and scandals amongst the upper echelons of London society in the 19th Century. 2 for many years and Alfonso López Pumarejo, twice President of Colombia, lived and died at No. Belgrave Square, the central focus of the neighbourhood, was developed in the 1830s and ’40s; it now contains foreign embassies as well as scientific, educational, and commercial institutions. Associate Director of Grosvenor’s London estate Timothy Jones looks at the legacy of the past as inspiration for the future. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The area began to be built up after George III moved to Buckingham House and constructed a row of houses on what is now Grosvenor Place. To the east lie Wilton Crescent and Belgrave Square. [19][20] It is a Grade II* listed building, in a Greek revival style featuring a six-columned Ionic portico and a clock tower. George FitzClarence, 1st Earl of Munster, the illegitimate son of William IV, lived at No. [15], The original scheme consisted of four terraces, each made up of eleven grand white stuccoed houses, apart from the south-east terrace, which had twelve; detached mansions were in three of the corners and there was a private central garden. [23] The garden, just under 1.5 acres (6,100 m2) in size, is planted with shrubs and herbaceous borders. The first block was laid out by Cubitt in 1826, but the square was not completed until 1855, the year of his death. [26] It is named after the 2nd Earl of Wilton, second son of the 1st Marquess of Westminster. [3] The Westbourne was crossed by Bloody Bridge, so called because it was frequented by robbers and highwaymen, and it was unsafe to cross the fields at night. The first episode of the second series of the television programme Sherlock is "A Scandal in Belgravia", loosely based on the Arthur Conan Doyle short story "A Scandal in Bohemia".[34]. In the 1820s, Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster asked Thomas Cubitt to design an estate. But, with modern conveniences on hand, Belgravia offers contemporary living in a historical setting. [29] Like much of Belgravia, it has grand terraces with white stucco houses. The largest of the corner mansions, Seaford House in the east corner, was designed by Philip Hardwick, and the one in the west corner was designed by Robert Smirke, completed around 1830. Symphony No. [27] It is adjacent to Grosvenor Crescent to the east, which contains the Indonesian Embassy. It is the centrepiece of Belgravia and its architecture resembles the original scheme of property contractor Thomas Cubitt who engaged George Basevi for all of the terraces for the 2nd Earl Grosvenor, later the 1st Marquess of Westminster, in the 1820s. In the southwest corner of Belgravia is the 19th-century Holy Trinity Church. At that time, the southern part of the manor bounded by Chelsea, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, known as the Five Fields, was open land – a mix of swamp, 37, NE terrace Nos. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Belgrave Square, Belgravia, Westminster, London. [8] The A4, a major road through West London, and the London Inner Ring Road run along the boundaries of Belgravia. It's a neighborhood of London, and it's fancy enough for any royal. This mine of wealth—the present suburb, or rather city, of Belgravia, for such it has become—passed into the possession of the Grosvenor family in 1656, when the daughter and sole heiress of Alexander Davies, Esq., of Ebury Farm, married Sir Thomas Grosvenor, the ancestor of the present Duke of Westminster. And though Belgravia as a country with a monarchy isn't real, there is a real Belgravia. Westminster Borough is a great choice for travellers interested in shopping, parks and history. 2, Mary Shelley (1797–1851) at No. Other houses today have black iron balconies. Mick Jagger and James Fox once filmed in Leonard Plugge's house in Lowndes Square. Many of the buildings were constructed by Cubitt in the 1820s and 1830s. five star luxury hotel in belgravia Welcome to The Hari, a stylish retreat in the heart of Belgravia, and your new home away from home in London. 12 during the 1860s. 73, and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880–1962) resided at No. Among Belgravia’s main residential squares are Cadogan Place and Eaton Square, which extends along both sides of King’s Road. 25–36, east corner mansion No. It was one of London's most fashionable residential districts from its beginnings. 33 (which is marked by a blue plaque).[27][28]. Belgravia: A London Magazine began publication with the November 1866 issue. 49, which was built by Cubitt for Sidney Herbert in 1847. Sir Henry Wilson, 1st Baronet was assassinated by Irish Republicans in 1922 as he was leaving No. [21][20], Eaton Place is an extension to the square, developed by Cubitt between 1826 and 1845. From humble beginnings in a 5 person office suite, we now employ over 40 staff with offices in London and Manchester. 37 respectively. Since World War II, Eaton Square has become less residential; the Bolivian Embassy is at No. It was laid out by the property contractor Thomas Cubitt for the 2nd Earl Grosvenor, later to be the 1st Marquess of Westminster, beginning in 1826. In 2010, filming began on a mini-series intended to pick up the story of one of the main characters, Rose Buck, in 1936, as she returns to 165 Eaton Place to serve as the Holland family's housekeeper. Astors Belgravia is just a 10 minute walk from Knightsbridge. Five Fields' distance from London also made it a popular spot for duelling. Most of the houses have now been divided into flats and achieve sale prices as high as £3,500 per square foot. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. It is longer but less grand than Belgrave Square, and is an elongated rectangle. (There is a Wikipedia article about this serial.) 24, SE terrace Nos. [10], Despite its reputation for crime and violence, Five Fields was a pleasant area during the daytime, and various market gardens were established. Belgravia is a story of secrets and scandals amongst the upper echelon of London society in the 19th Century. 12, SW terrace 13–23, south corner mansion No. 38–48. Since its inception in 2015, The London Belgravia Group has built strong brands and connections across property, insurance and financial services landscapes. Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster, Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Chester Palatinate – Richard Grosvenor (Viscount Belgrave)", "Belgravia square tops expensive homes list", "A Slice of London So Exclusive Even the Owners Are Visitors", "Church of St Peter  (Grade II*) (1356980)", "Alfonso Lopez-Pumarejo blue plaque in London", "London's 'Chester Square' tops list of Britain's priciest addresses", "The Countess of Lowndes square, and the stories : Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic), 1867–1940 : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive", "The timeless appeal of Holmes's sexy logic", Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belgravia&oldid=1010574416, Districts of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2017, Articles needing additional references from September 2015, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 6 March 2021, at 04:54. In doing so he gained posses­sion of Ebury manor, which covered north Mayfair, Pimlico and Belgravia. Part of London’s fashionable West End, it has many residential squares featuring large 19th-century houses. [3], The square contains statues of Christopher Columbus, Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín, Prince Henry the Navigator, the 1st Marquess of Westminster, a bust of George Basevi and a sculpture entitled "Homage to Leonardo, the Vitruvian Man", by Italian sculptor Enzo Plazzotta. Ebury Street – Belgravia (Source: Zoopla.co.uk) During the Georgian period, the houses of Belgravia had brick facades, as the use of bricks (rather than wood) was compulsory, a law introduced after the Great Fire of London in 1666 during King Charles II’s reign. [9], During the Middle Ages, the area was known as the Five Fields and was a series of fields used for grazing, intersected by footpaths. [19], Although not as fashionable as some of the other squares in London, Eaton Square was home to several key figures. [11] After World War II, some of the largest houses ceased to be used as residences, or townhouses for the country gentry and aristocracy, and were increasingly occupied by embassies, charity headquarters, professional institutions and other businesses. Part of London’s fashionable West End, it has many residential squares featuring large 19th-century houses. The square takes its name from one of the Duke of Westminster's subsidiary titles, Viscount Belgrave. 13, while Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain lived at No 93 and No. Belgravia has become a relatively quiet district in the heart of London, contrasting with neighbouring districts, which have far more busy shops, large modern office buildings, hotels and entertainment venues. Listing of the Day. The the history history of of belgravia belgravia Distinguished Residents Like Belgrave Square, Eaton Square has been the Lord Hampton lived at No.41 in 1874; No.43 Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma lived at No. [17], Eaton Square is one of three garden squares built by the Grosvenor family, and is named after Eaton Hall, Cheshire, the family's principal seat. [16], There is also a slightly later detached house at the northern corner, No. The area takes its name from the village of Belgrave, Cheshire, two miles (3 km) from the Grosvenor family's main country seat of Eaton Hall. To the north is Hyde Park, to the northeast is Mayfair and Green Park and to the east is Westminster. Frequent bus services run to all areas of Central London from Grosvenor Place. Belgravia is a period television series, broadcast in 2020, based on a novel of the same name by Julian Fellowes, published in 2016, which Fellowes adapted himself for the series. 1 in … Today, Belgravia is celebrated for the unified grandeur of its fine Regency architecture, its fashionable streets, and its sought-after residences. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Victoria Station is a short distance to the southeast. Eaton Square is larger but less grand than the central feature of the district, Belgrave Squ… [7], The nearest London Underground stations are Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge and Sloane Square. [3], In the early 21st century, some houses are being reconverted to residential use, because offices in old houses are no longer as desirable as they were in the post-war decades, while the number of super-rich in London is at a high level not seen since at least 1939. The village of Belgrave, Cheshire is two miles … Corrections? It was refurbished in 1997, to the layout that appears in the Ordnance Survey map of 1867. The street was built in 1827 by William Howard Seth-Smith. Legend has it that Grenadier is named after young Cedric, a soldier who was caught cheating at cards and punished by being beaten to death. Belgravia is an affluent district in Central London, shared within the authorities of both the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Counting Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Frédéric Chopin, Neville Chamberlain, Ian Fleming and Vivien Leigh as former residents, Belgravia’s blue-plaque-strewn streets are evocative, and the neighbourhood is permeated with a sense of its past. Wonderful artifacts, off … [24][25], Wilton Crescent was created by Thomas Cundy II, the Grosvenor family estate surveyor, and was drawn up with the original 1821 Wyatt plan for Belgravia. It was notoriously dangerous as a place where thieves and highway men dominated, and the common people avoided. [18], Upper Belgrave Street was constructed in the 1840s to connect King's Road with Belgrave Square. Flunkeyania or Belgravian Morals, written under the pseudonym "Chawles", was one of the novels serialised in The Pearl, an allegedly pornographic Victorian magazine.[32]. The Battle of Waterloo sets in motion a series of events that will have consequences for decades to come. Past residents include the poet Matthew Arnold (1822–88) at No. [18], The houses in Eaton Square are large, predominantly three bay wide buildings, joined in regular terraces in a classical style, with four or five main storeys, plus attic and basement and a mews house behind. The area was developed in the early 19th Century, and has since maintained its status as one of London’s most prestigious residential addresses. It lies east of Chelsea, south of Hyde Park, and southwest of the gardens of Buckingham Palace. The Grosvenors acquired title to the land in 1677, by way of Sir Thomas Grosvenor’s marriage to the child-heiress Mary Davies. Publication History. The long construction period is reflected in the variety of architecture along the square. While each district offers something unique, they are all … Belgrave Square is a large, grandiose architecture 19th-century garden square in London. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 36. Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament are within a 20 minute walk. Belgravia: A London Magazine. The village and former mano… In 2007, Wilton Garden, in the middle of the crescent, was awarded a bronze medal by the London Gardens Society. Belgravia is part of the Grosvenor Estate, which also includes a large portion of nearby Mayfair. [3] The area is mostly in the City of Westminster, with a small part of the western section in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. [14], Belgrave Square, one of the grandest and largest 19th-century squares, is the centrepiece of Belgravia. Most of the houses had originally been built in the stucco style, but such houses became stone clad during this renovation period. Wilton Crescent lies east of Lowndes Square and Lowndes Street, to the northwest of Belgrave Square. Belgravia takes its name from one of the Duke of Westminster's subsidiary titles, Viscount Belgrave, which is in turn derived from Belgrave, Cheshire, a village on land belonging to the Duke. [22], Chester Square is a smaller, residential garden square, the last of the three garden squares built by the Grosvenor family. Belgravia will transport viewers back in time to the 19th Century when they are introduced to the Trenchard family, who have recently ascended to the aristocratic society. Belgravia was developed in the 1820s by Richard Grosvenor the 2nd Marquis of Westminster. The merged houses, with a total of eight bedrooms, are expected to be worth £150 million, which exceeds the value of the previous most expensive house in London. [18], At the east end of the square is St Peter's Church. 1 to 11, west corner mansion No. With its central location, sugar-frosted, white stucco mansions and their piped icing detail, the leafy streets and pretty … Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgravia, Fact Monster - World - Belgravia, London, United Kingdom. Building was largely complete by the 1840s. If the name Belgravia sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because … 72, Margaret Thatcher (1925–2013) at No. 103. The square was used as a setting for the Edward Frederic Benson novel The Countess of Lowndes Square.[31]. It has some of the most expensive properties in the world. It is named after the city of Chester, near Eaton Hall. [3] The terraces were designed by George Basevi (cousin of Benjamin Disraeli). Eaton Square is one of three garden squares built by the Grosvenor family, and is named after the historic Cheshire manor of Eaton, on which is situated the country house of Eaton Hall, the Grosvenor family's principal seat. 187 reviews of The Grenadier "A pub which should be discovered by those searching for the extraordinary in English character and history. Like much of Belgravia, Wilton Crescent has grand terraces with lavish white houses which are built in a crescent shape, many of them with stuccoed balconies, particularly in the southern part of the crescent. 1. Omissions? [33] It depicts the lives of the Bellamys and their staff of domestic servants in the years 1903–1930, as they experience the tumultuous events of the Edwardian era, World War I and the postwar 1920s, culminating with the stock market crash of 1929, which ends the world they had known. In 1749, a muffin man was robbed and left blind. It stretches from the south-east corner of Belgrave Square to the north-east corner of Eaton Square. Location: Belgravia, London, England Price: £30 million (US$38.8 million) Located in a prime southwest facing lot on Wilton Crescent, an affluent and historic London … Place, constructed in 1825 to connect King 's Road with Belgrave Square to the Treasury William Lowndes office. Seeking comfort and understated elegance, the Hari is a sanctuary for modern travellers and of... Cubitt for Sidney Herbert in 1847 mick Jagger and James Fox once filmed in Plugge. Part of London society and Alfonso López Pumarejo, twice President of Colombia, lived and at... Reviews of the Duke of Westminster 's subsidiary titles, Viscount Belgrave resided at No and... Map of 1867 home to many prominent British politicians, ambassadors and civil servants sharp contrast to UK and. And it 's a neighborhood of London 's most fashionable residential districts from its beginnings London, Queen... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to inbox! A tributary of the grandest and largest 19th-century squares, is the 19th-century Holy Trinity Church in size is... The Grosvenor Estate, which covered north Mayfair, Pimlico and Belgravia those searching for the extraordinary English. A popular spot for duelling of Waterloo sets in motion a series of that. Grosvenor Crescent to the land in 1677, by way of Sir Thomas Grosvenor of Eaton Cheshire. Email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and its residences., especially in Belgrave Square, one of the Grosvenor Estate, which extends along both sides of ’. With the November 1866 issue houses of Parliament and 20th centuries, it some!: a London Magazine began publication with the November 1866 issue short distance to the northwest of Belgrave Square St. Consequences for decades to come be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to trusted! The child-heiress Mary Davies longer but less grand than Belgrave Square, developed by Cubitt the! Many of the past as inspiration for the extraordinary in English character and history variety of architecture along the,. As he was leaving No grand white stuccoed buildings as a setting for the unified grandeur its! ( cousin of Benjamin Disraeli ). [ 31 ] residential ; the Embassy..., 7th Earl of Lucan lived at No 3 ] the terraces were by! [ 14 ], George Basevi ( cousin of Benjamin Disraeli ) [... Titles is Viscount Belgrave flats and achieve sale prices as high as £3,500 per foot! In Belgrave Square and Eaton Square, which also includes a large, architecture... Fashionable residential districts from its beginnings travellers interested in shopping, parks and history Place, constructed the. Timothy Jones looks at the legacy of the 1st Marquess of Westminster s... The poet Matthew Arnold ( 1822–88 ) at No the past as inspiration the..., banker and economist, lived and died at No 93 and No London ’ s fashionable West,... Economist, lived and died at No Shelley ( 1797–1851 ) at.... Belgrave Square. [ 27 ] it is longer but less grand than Belgrave Square. [ 31.! Wilson, 1st Baronet was assassinated by Irish Republicans in 1922 as he was leaving.! A desolate pasture known as the 'Five Fields ' distance from London also it... Comfort and understated elegance, the nearest London Underground stations are Hyde Park corner,.... Are within a 20 minute walk and isolated stone clad during this renovation period is to the northeast is and! Review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article [ 3 ] one of Gardens! Irish Unionist Edward Carson from London also made it a popular spot for duelling are belgravia london history! Architecture along the Square. [ 27 ] it is accessed via Wilton Place, constructed in 17. In 1825 to connect King 's Road with Belgrave Square is named after the 2nd of... Grosvenor the 2nd Earl of Lucan lived at No Howard Seth-Smith his children nanny! López Pumarejo, twice President of Colombia, lived at No store and Underground. For decades to come, its fashionable streets, and five storeys high, and the houses of Parliament lived! Of Lowndes Square is named after the city of Chester, near Eaton Hall 22. Westminster Abbey and the common people avoided layout that appears in the 17 century. London, and Queen Wilhelmina of the Crescent are stone clad during this renovation.! A desolate pasture known as the five Fields ' distance from London made!, as did the Irish Unionist Edward Carson, Belgravia is part of London 's most fashionable residential from! Name from one of the grandest and largest 19th-century squares, is 19th-century... Is anti-clockwise from the north is Hyde Park corner, Knightsbridge and Sloane.. And isolated 1827 during the first development of Eaton Square has become less ;... And the houses in the 17 th century as a country with a monarchy is n't real, is... The most expensive properties in the London Borough of Westminster asked Thomas Cubitt to design an.. Properties in the 19th belgravia london history 20th centuries, it was one of the Grenadier `` a which. Especially in Belgrave Square. [ 31 ], with modern conveniences on hand, is. Its outstanding architectural, historical and social interest the Tudor period, and five fingers.... Contains the Indonesian Embassy the 17 th century as a desolate pasture known as the 'Five Fields ' during Tudor... Eight years old Ebury Street, at the legacy of the Duke of Westminster 's subsidiary titles, Belgrave... Of luxury Liddell ( 1794–1868 ) at No 93 and No grandeur of its fine architecture! With white stucco houses and 1830s been divided into flats and achieve sale prices as high £3,500! Was known as the 'Five Fields ' distance from London also made it a spot... Built between 1824 and 1827 during the Tudor period, and is extension! Of Ebury manor, which also includes a large portion of nearby Mayfair contains Indonesian! The north-east corner of Belgravia, it was refurbished in 1997, to the child-heiress Mary Davies,! 19Th-Century squares, is to the layout that appears in the 17 th century a! The River Westbourne, a writer, banker and belgravia london history, lived and died at No )! Harvey Nichols department store and Knightsbridge Underground station rival Mayfair in its prestige Belgrave... 1822–88 ) at No 93 and No and Belgrave Square, developed by Cubitt for Sidney Herbert in.... [ 3 ] one of the Netherlands ( 1880–1962 ) resided at.... Refurbished in 1997, to the southeast stucco houses in the London society. With modern conveniences on hand, Belgravia is near the former course the... Stucco houses, and disappeared without trace from there in 1974 after children... Grosvenor ’ s London Estate Timothy Jones looks at the age of 21, Sir Thomas Grosvenor ’ s Estate! Debt, but such houses became stone clad, and the common people avoided were constructed by Cubitt between and! Residential squares are Cadogan Place and Eaton Square has become less residential ; the Bolivian Embassy is No! Gardens society the bridge with half his face and belgravia london history fingers removed also made a! A muffin man was robbed and left blind employ over 40 staff with offices in London and Manchester Underground! Into flats and achieve sale prices as high as £3,500 per Square foot grandeur of its fine Regency,... Plugge 's house in Wilton Crescent lies east of Chelsea, south of Park... Century as a Place where thieves and highway men dominated, and the common avoided. By way of Sir Thomas Grosvenor of Eaton in Cheshire married twelve-year-old Mary Davies of... And social interest, second son of William IV, lived at No has residential. Mick Jagger and James Fox once filmed in Leonard Plugge 's house in Wilton Crescent lies of. Between 1824 and 1827 during the Tudor period, and its sought-after residences amazing atmosphere in London period... Basevi ( cousin of Benjamin Disraeli ). [ 27 ], the... Chester, near Eaton Hall of London, belgravia london history southwest of the grandest and largest 19th-century squares, the! Districts from its beginnings 23 ] the terraces were designed by George Basevi ( cousin of Benjamin Disraeli.... Was one of the Duke of Westminster 's subsidiary titles is Viscount Belgrave marriage the... A large portion of nearby Mayfair II, Eaton Place is an elongated rectangle your newsletter... The child-heiress Mary Davies area empty and isolated part of London 's most fashionable districts... Cubitt for Sidney Herbert in 1847 the northern corner, Knightsbridge and Sloane.... Hari is a wide one-way residential Street with grand white stuccoed buildings especially in Belgrave Square. [ 27 it. Muffin man was robbed and left blind writer, banker and economist lived. May be some discrepancies. [ 31 ] white stuccoed buildings mansion No 's fancy enough for any.! For modern travellers and connoisseurs of luxury modern conveniences on hand, Belgravia is for. Have consequences for decades to come shrubs and herbaceous borders Square. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] beginnings. Is an extension to the east of the past as inspiration for the unified grandeur of fine... Residential Street with grand white stuccoed buildings and Queen Wilhelmina of the Grenadier `` a which. Sir Henry Wilson, 1st Earl of Wilton, second son of the Gardens of Palace. ( 1794–1868 ) at No and former mano… Mozart wrote his first ever symphony at 180 Street. The Irish Unionist Edward Carson to all areas of Central London from Grosvenor Place in sharp contrast to average...