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

James Knowles

James Knowles

Two architects, father (1806–1884) and son (1831-1908), with the same name, James Thomas Knowles, either could have been the architect for the Shakespeare plinth.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Sir Charles James Freake

Sir Charles James Freake

Architect, builder and patron of the arts.

Person, Architecture, Benefactor, Property

1 memorial
E. J. May

E. J. May

Born Edward John May. Estate Architect at Bedford Park 1880 - 1885. Died Chislehurst. From the Bedford Park panel: "E. J. May was the last pupil of Decimus Burton before joining Shaw’s practice as...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Sir Horace Jones

Sir Horace Jones

Architect. Born 15 Size Lane, Bucklersbury, EC4. Did a lot of work in the City, at Guildhall and Smithfield, Billingsgate, Leadenhall Markets, the Guildhall School of Music, Tower Bridge. President...

Person, Architecture

5 memorials
James Leoni
1 memorial

Previously viewed

Royal Institute of British Architects

Royal Institute of British Architects

From the RIBA website: "RIBA Awards are given for buildings that have high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment. The awards are annual, and have been...

Group, Architecture

2 memorials
Alfred Mond, Baron Melchett

Alfred Mond, Baron Melchett

Born in Lancashire, where his father Ludwig had a factory.  Studied law and then entered his father's business as director.  Liberal and then Conservative MP 1906-28. In 1926 he achieved the merger...

Person, Industry, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Greater London Council

Greater London Council

Replaced the LCC. The GLC was abolished, some say, because Mrs Thatcher could not abide its left-wing politics, nor its leader, Ken Livingstone.  On its 50th anniversary Diamond Geezer posted a goo...

Group, Politics & Administration

241 memorials
Sustrans

Sustrans

Charity. It encourages people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys they make every day. Formed in Bristol as 'Cyclebag' by a group of cyclists and environmentalists,...

Group, Transport

18 memorials
Ethel Grover

Ethel Grover

Aged 48.

Person

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial