Place    From 1768  To 1935

Adelphi Terrace

Categories: Architecture

The Adam brothers built a very large development including a run of houses with a terrace that over-looked the river, which was much closer before the Embankment was built. It was this terrace that caused the word "terrace" to take on the meaning of a row of houses. Torn down in 1935 and replaced with the art deco New Adelphi building. It was the demolition of the Adelphi that was, at least partially, responsible for the creation of the Georgian Society in 1937.

The Rise and Fall of the Adelphi is a very useful page with excellent photos.

While thinking of how London has changed the English language, in the field of architecture at least, let's examine "Mews". From the French, it used to mean a place where hawks (kept for hunting) were confined during their moulting seasons. From 1377 the King's Mews was at Charing Cross, about where Trafalgar Square now is. In 1537 Henry VIII had it converted to be the royal stables. And hence Mews became the term for all service streets in London built as stables, converted into garages and then converted into rather chic homes for fashionable Londoners, such as John Steed.

The image on this page shows a plainer front elevation than that on the Garrick page. We have to assume that the Victorians added some decorative features, around the windows and the central attic pediment, for example.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Adelphi Terrace

Commemorated ati

Adam, Hood, Galsworthy, Barrie, etc.

We understand the "here" on the plaque to refer to the whole of Adelphi Terra...

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Garrick plaque - gone

David Garrick, actor, lived here. B: 1716. D: 1779. {Almost hidden in the dec...

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The Adelphi

The Adelphi This building stands on the site of Adelphi Terrace built by the...

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Other Subjects

R. Day

R. Day

Mason-sculptor of Camberwell. Active in 1825.

Person, Architecture, Craft / Design

1 memorial
John Knight

John Knight

Architect. We only have some ideas about who this might be, from Charles Saumarez Smith. In 1862 he may be the J. McKenzie Knight who designed the lovely Vestry Hall in Bancroft Road E1, and is now...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
Leverton arch

Leverton arch

Designed in 1800 by Leverton, one of the churchwardens at the time. Originally at the northern entrance on St Giles High Street. Moved in 1865 to its present location on Flitcroft Street.

Building, Architecture, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Manning & Simpson

Manning & Simpson

Architects active in 1885.

Group, Architecture

1 memorial
J. Deykes

J. Deykes

Architect active in 1817.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial