55–91 Knightsbridge
| 55–91 Knightsbridge | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 55–91 Knightsbridge | |
Interactive map of the 55–91 Knightsbridge area | |
General information | |
| Type | Residential with ground floor used for shops |
Architectural style | Edwardian |
| Location | London, England |
| Coordinates | 51°30′08″N 0°09′26″W / 51.50209°N 0.157233°W |
Completed | 1903 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | W. D. Caröe |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | 55-91, Knightsbridge |
| Designated | 08 June 1982 |
| Reference no. | 1221608 |
55–91 Knightsbridge is a Grade II listed[1] Edwardian mansion block development located in the Knightsbridge area of London. The mansions sit opposite the Parkside mansions across the road, developed a few years afterwards.[2][3]
History
The development of the block reflected a need to widen the road, one of the first acts of urban improvement proposed by the London County Council in 1889. Houses were demolished to make way for the commencement of building work in 1902, completing in 1903. W. D. Caröe would serve as the architect of the project.[4]
In 1975, the building was the site of the Spaghetti House Siege, an incident involving a hostage situation in the Knightsbridge branch of Spaghetti House.[5] The branch was located at 77 Knightsbridge and would close in 2015.[6]
Beginning in 2016, refurbishment would be carried out on the buildings, with the block being advertised as "Knightsbridge Gate".[7][8][9]
Design
The building is a typical mansion block design with residential units over shop space on the ground floor. It is built of brick with stone dressings topped with a green slate roof. The Historic England listing entry describes the building as being built in an "Eclectic classical style with Flemish touches".[1]
Notable features include a plaque marking the Coronation of Edward VII reading "ANNO EDW VII CORONATIONIS".[3] The building is further adorned with six busts, representing Edward VII, Queen Alexandra, Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener both celebrated for their role in the Boer War, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Frederick Temple and the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury.[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 "55-91, Knightsbridge, Non Civil Parish - 1221608 | Historic England". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Bradley, Simon; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2005). Westminster. London (Repr. with corr ed.). Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. p. 756. ISBN 978-0-300-09595-1.
- 1 2 Gray, A. Stuart (1985). Edwardian Architecture: A Biographical Dictionary. London: Wordsworth Editions. p. 135. ISBN 0-7156-2141-6.
- 1 2 "Knightsbridge South Side: East of Sloane Street, Wilton Place to William Street | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Bourne, Jenny (2011-09-26). "The line between the political and the criminal can be a blurred one". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "Spaghetti House to close Knightsbridge site after 46 years". The Caterer. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "Knightsbridge Gate - Building - Knightsbridge, London SW1X". www.buildington.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ "KNIGHTSBRIDGE GATE". Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- ↑ Mannion, Jonelle (2022-12-30). "Steps From Hyde Park, this Mansion-Sized Penthouse Crowns an Edwardian-Era Block". Mansion Global. Retrieved 2026-08-03.