Inventory Site Record

Crewe House is a rare survival in central London of a detached mansion set in its original grounds. Built in the early C18th it was considerably altered in the late C18th and early C19th. Previously known as Wharncliffe House, it was purchased in 1899 by the Marquis of Crewe and renamed Crewe House. In 1937 it became offices for Messrs. Tilling and it is now the Saudi Arabian Embassy, extensively restored for this use by architects Michael Lyell Associates in 1988-90. The house is visible through an ornamental wrought iron screen with gates and lodges at either end, also by Michael Lyell Associates, which replaced a rendered brick wall. The garden within is entirely re-landscaped and is abundantly supplied with dwarf plants.

Previous / Other name:

Wharncliffe House; The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in London

Site location:

Curzon Street, Mayfair

Postcode:

W1Y 7FJ

What 3 Words:

volume.fades.snap

Type of site:

Private Garden

Borough:

Westminster

Open to public?

No

Opening times:

Private

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Green Park (Victoria, Piccadilly, Jubilee), Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly)

Citymapper    
Google Map    
streetmap.co.uk

Research updated:

01/11/2007

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.

The house was built in 1730 (Pevsner has 1746/7) by architect Edward Shepherd, but it was considerably altered in the late C18th and early C19th for James Stuart Wortley. In 1937 it was altered once more by H J Starkey when it became offices for Messrs. Tilling. The oldest surviving interior is the double-height front hall of 1911 by Elms & Jupp for the 1st Marquis of Crewe.

Sources consulted:

Harold Clunn, the Face of London (c1950) p.202-03; Simon Bradley and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 6: Westminster' (Yale University Press, 2003); 'Wonderful London' ed. St John Adcock, vol iii (The Fleetway House, c.1926)

Grid ref:

TQ286803 (528641,180303)

Size in hectares:

Site ownership:

The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Site management:

The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Date(s):

1730; 1988/90

Designer(s):

Listed structures:

LBII*: Crewe House

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

Yes

Conservation Area name:

Mayfair

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

No

Special Policy Area:

Yes

Other LA designation:

None