Burlington Gardens

Burlington Gardens is a prestigious street in the heart of London's Mayfair, connecting Old Bond Street to the renowned Savile Row. Historically associated with aristocratic patronage and intellectual pursuit, it is famed for its distinctive 19th-century Italianate architecture, most notably the former headquarters of the University of London. Today, the street is a blend of high-end retail, cultural institutions, and corporate offices, maintaining its status as an exclusive address within the City of Westminster.

History

The street was constructed in the late 1860s on land belonging to the Burlington Estate, the vast London holdings of the Earls of Burlington and later the Dukes of Devonshire. Its creation was part of the rapid development of western Mayfair following the Great Exhibition of 1851. The most significant early occupant was the University of London, which commissioned the prominent building at number 6 from architect Sir James Pennethorne in 1869. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the street attracted learned societies, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art which had premises there before moving to Bloomsbury. For much of the 20th century, the university building later housed the British Museum's Department of Ethnography, prior to its relocation to the British Museum.

Architecture

The architectural character is dominated by the monumental Italianate design of 6 Burlington Gardens, executed in Portland stone by Sir James Pennethorne. The facade features a grand Corinthian portico, sculptural groups by John Birnie Philip representing the arts and sciences, and statues of eminent British figures such as Sir Isaac Newton and William Harvey. The interior originally contained a grand library and a senate house. The rest of the street consists of elegant, typically five-story stucco-faced buildings from the same Victorian era, presenting a cohesive and formal streetscape that contrasts with the more varied architecture of neighboring Albemarle Street and Piccadilly.

Notable occupants

The street's most famous resident was the University of London, specifically its central administrative body, which occupied number 6 for over a century. Other significant institutional occupants have included the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Moscow Narodny Bank. In the arts, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art was founded at number 62 in 1904 by actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree. The former university building was later tenanted by the New Era Estate and, following a major restoration, became the London home of the international auction house Sotheby's for its Sotheby's operations. The luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen also established its flagship boutique on the street.

Cultural significance

The street has been a notable location in British cultural and intellectual history, serving as a nexus for education and the arts. Its association with the University of London placed it at the center of the capital's academic life for generations. The founding of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art here cemented its connection to the theatrical world, training luminaries like Sir John Gielgud and Dame Peggy Ashcroft. The building's later use by the British Museum for its ethnographic collections, including artifacts collected during the voyages of Captain James Cook, gave it a role in the study of world cultures. Its architectural grandeur has made it a frequent subject for artists and photographers capturing the essence of Victorian London.

Location and access

Burlington Gardens runs east-west, providing a direct pedestrian route between the luxury shopping of Old Bond Street and the bespoke tailoring of Savile Row. It is situated in the central Mayfair district, immediately north of the Royal Academy of Arts on Piccadilly and close to Berkeley Square. The nearest London Underground stations are Green Park on the Piccadilly line and Bond Street on the Central line. The area is also served by numerous London bus routes along Piccadilly and Regent Street, making it highly accessible within the West End.

Category:Streets in the City of Westminster Category:Mayfair