Place    From 1768  To 1935

Adelphi Terrace

Categories: Architecture

The Adam brothers built a very large development including a run of houses with a terrace that over-looked the river, which was much closer before the Embankment was built. It was this terrace that caused the word "terrace" to take on the meaning of a row of houses. Torn down in 1935 and replaced with the art deco New Adelphi building. It was the demolition of the Adelphi that was, at least partially, responsible for the creation of the Georgian Society in 1937.

The Rise and Fall of the Adelphi is a very useful page with excellent photos.

While thinking of how London has changed the English language, in the field of architecture at least, let's examine "Mews". From the French, it used to mean a place where hawks (kept for hunting) were confined during their moulting seasons. From 1377 the King's Mews was at Charing Cross, about where Trafalgar Square now is. In 1537 Henry VIII had it converted to be the royal stables. And hence Mews became the term for all service streets in London built as stables, converted into garages and then converted into rather chic homes for fashionable Londoners, such as John Steed.

The image on this page shows a plainer front elevation than that on the Garrick page. We have to assume that the Victorians added some decorative features, around the windows and the central attic pediment, for example.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Adelphi Terrace

Commemorated ati

Adam, Hood, Galsworthy, Barrie, etc.

We understand the "here" on the plaque to refer to the whole of Adelphi Terra...

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Garrick plaque - gone

David Garrick, actor, lived here. B: 1716. D: 1779. {Almost hidden in the dec...

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The Adelphi

The Adelphi This building stands on the site of Adelphi Terrace built by the...

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Other Subjects

Henry Charles Green

Henry Charles Green

Vice Chairman of Ealing District Council committee in 1899. Alderman Henry Charles Green was the first Mayor of Ealing, 1901–1902. Died aged 83. Green Avenue W13 is named for him. The artuk.org we...

Person, Architecture, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Sir Robert Smirke

Sir Robert Smirke

Born London. Died Cheltenham. Designed the British Museum and Covent Garden Theatre, amongst other buildings.

Person, Architecture

2 memorials
Rodney Gordon

Rodney Gordon

Architect.  Graduated from the Architectural Association School in 1957. His first job at the London County Council Architects department was to design this London Underground substation, dedicated...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Julian Middleton

Julian Middleton

Architect for the performing arts sector. His projects include the Tara Theatre, the Northern Stage in Newcastle, the restoration of Waterford Theatre Royal, the Chickenshed Theatre and the origina...

Person, Architecture, Theatre

1 memorial
T. A. Greeves

T. A. Greeves

Architect and artist. Born Thomas Affleck Greeves. Studied at the Cambridge School of Architecture, but never actually designed any functional buildings. Instead he produced a series of fantastical...

Person, Architecture, Art

1 memorial

Previously viewed

John Sewell

John Sewell

Surgeon of Lower Marsh Lambeth active in 1848.

Person, Medicine

1 memorial
Battle of Trafalgar - Brentford war memorial

Battle of Trafalgar - Brentford war memorial

TW8, Kew Bridge Road, 56, The Express Tavern Public House

This plaque is a rare thing - a war memorial naming the enlisted men who died in a war prior to 1900. Admittedly it was erected quite re...

War dead | Other war
21 subjects commemorated
Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art

Founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design. It changed to its current name in 1853. The main building, shown in the picture, in Renfrew Street was designed by Charles Rennie Mackint...

Group, Architecture, Art, Education, Scotland

1 memorial
Chewbacca

Chewbacca

A character in the Star Wars series. He is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk, and is the loyal friend and first mate of Han Solo. He was portrayed in the films by the 7' 3" tall actor Peter Mayhew.

Person, Cinema, Fictional

1 memorial
Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa

Poet.  Born and died Lisbon.

Person, Poetry, Portugal

1 memorial