Forbes House Gardens (Westminster)
Brief Description
Forbes House is a surprisingly large early to mid C19th mansion with a lodge and forecourt. A private residence until the C20th, it was used after WWII by the War Office Institution Club and in 1959 it became the headquarters of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders until 2010. The gardens contained a few good trees but the grounds are largely given over to car parking, especially to the rear. It has now been sold as a private residence.
Practical Information
- Site location:
- Halkin Street, Belgravia
- Postcode:
- SW1X 7DS
- What 3 Words:
- points.motion.visits
- Type of site:
- Private Garden
- Borough:
- Westminster
- Open to public?
- No
- Opening times:
- private
- Special conditions:
- Facilities:
- Events:
- Public transport:
- Tube: Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge (Piccadilly)
- Research updated:
- 01/10/2010
- Last minor changes:
- 14/07/2022
Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news.
Full Site Description
Forbes House was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as '9 unenterprising terrace-house-like bays of yellow brick, behind a walled forecourt with trees'. The first house was the five left bays, built by Sir Robert Smirke for the 5th Earl of Oxford, the next 3 added in 1824 for the future 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam. The 1st Lord Penrhyn extended the house behind in c.1868 when the cast-iron balcony was probably added. The right bay and arched stone doorcase date from 1912 for the 8th Earl of Granard and his American Countess Beatrice. Nearby are the Caledonian Club of 1912 by Detmar Blow and various early C19th houses.
Sources consulted:
Simon Bradley and Nikolaus Pevsner, 'The Buildings of England London 6: Westminster', (Yale University Press, 2003); Rob Golding 'SMMT sells Forbes House HQ', Just Auto, 11 October 2010
Further Information (Planning and Conservation)
- Grid ref:
- TQ283796 (528318,179634)
- Size in hectares:
- Site ownership:
- Private
- Site management:
- Date(s):
- Early to mid C19th
- Designer(s):
- Listed structures:
- LBII: Forbes House, lodge, forecourt walls and gate, Caledonian Club + various early c19th houses (LBII and II*)
- 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:
- Belgravia
- Tree Preservation Order:
- No
- Nature Conservation Area:
- No
- Green Belt:
- No
- Metropolitan Open Land:
- No
- Special Policy Area:
- Yes
- Other LA designation:
- None
Please note the Inventory and its content are provided for your general information only and are subject to change. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy.