London Squares

In 1874, the Cadogan and Hans PLace Improvements Act allowed re-development to commence on both the Cadogan and Smith Charity Trust property. Henry Holland’s Pavilion at the southern end of Hans Place was demolished, and Col. Makins, chairman of the newly formed Cadogan and Hans Place Estate Ltd. , selected JJ Stevenson to help in the overall layout and design. Pont Street was extended to connect Sloane Street to Walton Street, and Cadogan Square with its associated streets was constructed.

 The Queen Anne movement was at its heyday. The west side of Cadogan Square was constucted between 1877 and 1884 with William Young doing the design for Lord Cadogan. Between 1879 and 1885, Stevenson was largely responsible for the design of homes built on the southern range. GT Robinson built up the east side with early examples of mansion flats.

The deep dark orange of the facade was repeated in Lennon Gardens to the west. The overall feel is a combination of Dutch and Victorian. The effect is not particularly dreary on an overcast day, but one intuitively feels the earlier white stucco of the later  Georgian era is better. There is a clear sense of frivolity and display – no doubt a cultural relief at the time to the over use of rigid classicism in the hands of speculative builders.

The square is quite long – almost twice the recognition distance of 250 feet. The breadth isreasonable. The streets are approximately 32 feet wide, including on street parking.