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Inventory Site Record

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
Photos

Forbes House Gardens

Forbes House - view from the street - Colin Wing (2005)

Another view from SW gate - Photo Pamela Paterson (1995)
1995
View from SW gate - Photo Pamela Paterson (1995)
1995
Forbes House - View from SE Gate - Photo Pamela Paterson (1995)
1995

Click a photo to enlarge.

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.