Belgrave Square, SW1X

The original scheme consisted of four terraces, each made up of eleven white stucco houses, with the exception of the east terrace, which was made up of twelve. Detached mansions were originally built in three corners of the square, with a large private garden in the centre. The grand houses in Belgrave Square were built of bricks made from clay dug from the site and the surrounding streets were raised with spoil excavated from St Katherine’s Dock.

The square took its name from one of the Duke of Westminster’s titles, Viscount Belgrave. The village of Belgrave in Cheshire is two miles from the Grosvenor family’s main country residence.

The square was the scene of very early attempts at ballooning.

Large statues and sculptures adorn the central garden including statues of Christopher Columbus, Simón Bolívar, José de San Martín and Prince Henry the Navigator.

Today, the houses are occupied mainly by embassies, institutions and offices.





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