Bateman’s Buildings runs north from Bateman Street.
Bateman’s Buildings was built on the site of the former Monmouth House.
Monmouth House, a grand and expansive residence, was designed by Christopher Wren in 1677 for the Duke of Monmouth, Charles II’s illegitimate son. The Duke of Monmouth had little time to enjoy his new residence, as he led a failed rebellion against James II and was executed in 1685.
After the Duke’s demise, Monmouth House was acquired by the Bateman family. Bateman’s Buildings, which runs through the location where the original house stood, connects to Soho Square to the north. The north side of Bateman had accommodated the rear premises of Monmouth House until Bateman’s Buildings replaced them in 1774–5.
Sir James Bateman had been the Lord Mayor of London.
Until 1884, the street under discussion was known as Queen Street. The name Queen Street had been in use since at least 1682 when the street served as the southern boundary of the Monmouth House site. In 1884, the street underwent a name change, and prior to that, it was misportrayed on Ogilby and Morgan’s map of 1682. The northern side, particularly between Dean Street and Frith Street, lacked significant development until the 1730s. During this period, the north side featured the return frontages of adjacent streets, primarily Frith Street.
