49 Belgrave Square

49 Belgrave Square is a Grade II* listed house in Belgrave Square, Belgravia, London.

49 Belgrave Square
Former names
  • Independent North Mansion
  • Belgrave Villa
General information
Town or cityBelgravia, London
CountryEngland
Coordinates51.5006°N 0.1532°W / 51.5006; -0.1532
Current tenantsArgentine Ambassador
OwnerGovernment of Argentina

It was finished in 1851, designed by Thomas Cubitt.[1][2] In 1859, Mayhew & Knight built the entrance and added the octagonal lobby.[3]

It was originally known as the "Independent North Mansion".[2]

Sir Otto Beit in his study at 49 Belgrave Square by William Orpen, 1913, Johannesburg Art Gallery

The first owner, Sidney Herbert, 1st Baron Herbert of Lea, named it "Belgrave Villa".[4] His son, Sidney Herbert, 14th Earl of Pembroke, was born there in 1853. After Herbert, the Duke of Richmond lived there.[2]

The house was subsequently acquired by Alfred Beit, and his brother Sir Otto Beit inherited it in 1906.[3] His son Sir Alfred Beit, 2nd Baronet, grew up there and on his father's death in 1930 inherited the house, together with his large art collection. He relocated to Kensington Palace Gardens, and sold the house in 1936.[5]

The building was acquired by Argentina in 1936, and has since been used as that country's Ambassador's official London residence.[6] It has been opened to the public on one weekend a year since 2006, as part of Open House London, which notes the "sumptuous interiors still intact".[2]

During the Second World War, the house became a meeting place and haven for Argentines who volunteered in the British forces, mostly as pilots.[3]

References
  1. Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1066460)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  2. Open House London 2013. 2013. p. 70. ISBN 9780956945020.
  3. Residence of the Ambassador of Argentina, Open House 2013 leaflet
  4. "Argentine Ambassador's Residence | 49 Belgrave Sq SW1X 8QZ | Attractions | Time Out London". Timeout.com. 20 June 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  5. "Sir Alfred Lane Beit". Russboroughhouse.ie. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  6. "The embassy of the Argentine Republic". Argentine-embassy-uk.org. 24 September 2006. Retrieved 5 December 2013.

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