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.

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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Lost Garrick plaque

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

Thomas Garner

Thomas Garner

Architect. Worked with G. F. Bodley.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Walter Maxted Epps, FRIBA

Walter Maxted Epps, FRIBA

Both the booklets Changing Times: The Broadway, Bexleyheath, 1812-1912 and Changing Times: 100 years of the Broadway, Bexleyheath, 1912-2012 inform us that Epps was a local resident. As well as des...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
C. J. Phipps

C. J. Phipps

Architect of theatres. Those still standing in London include: the Vaudeville, the Lyric, the Garrick, Her Majesty's. Born Bath. Died at home at 26 Mecklenburgh Square.

Person, Architecture, Theatre

2 memorials
Basil Champneys

Basil Champneys

Architect. Born Whitechapel. Died at home at 42 Frognal Lane, Hampstead. Works include: Newnham College, Cambridge.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Robert Cantwell

Robert Cantwell

Laid out the Norland Estate and designed the Royal Crescent there.  Died at home in Wimpole Street.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial