Why Davies Street? It is more than just an address. Davies Street whispers tales of London’s evolution, a story etched in brick and stone.
Davies Street got its name from Mary Davies. She was the heiress who married Sir Thomas Grosvenor in 1677. This marriage brought the London estate into the Grosvenor family.
Initially, Davies Street was planned for grand houses. Agreements from 1720 to 1723 show this vision. Builders were meant to construct high-class residences. Restrictions limited trades to avoid nuisances like brewing or tallow melting.
However, by 1723, even stables were allowed. Only the most offensive trades remained prohibited.
Two houses stood out along Davies Street. Bourdon House still survives today. Number 48, formerly 56, also gained note. John Barnes, a bricklayer, built number 48. He lived there from 1728 to 1736. It started small but grew over time.
Viscount Falmouth and Sir William Codrington lived there. The Marchioness of Donegall also resided at number 48. In 1826, James Mivart added it to his Brook Street hotel. This later became Claridge’s. The house was demolished in 1894 for Claridge’s rebuilding.
Most other houses on Davies Street were narrow. Tradesmen occupied them. In the mid-18th century, many sold food or drink. Six taverns operated on the street. By the century’s end, trades became more diverse.
Grosvenor Market appeared in 1785 at Davies Street and South Molton Lane. John Jenkins designed the market for Earl Grosvenor. It had a triangular paved area. A colonnade surrounded it. Houses, shops, and even a slaughterhouse were built around the market.
Grosvenor Market aimed to be a food market. Yet, it failed early on. St. George’s Market drew away business. Tenants struggled, often leaving without paying rent. By 1841, few retailers remained.
Methodist meetings occurred above the slaughterhouse. This lasted from 1791 to 1801. In 1858, some market buildings were replaced with model dwellings. These were called Oxford House.
Rebuilding occurred when leases expired. Around 1802, houses replaced stabling at numbers 28-32. John Boodle, a Grosvenor lawyer, lived at number 46.
Seth Smith began his building ventures on Davies Street. In 1820, he built five houses and a workshop. Samuel Erlam constructed four houses and stables in the 1820s.
Thomas Cubitt built houses in 1838. Joshua Higgs rebuilt the Running Horse pub and other buildings around 1840.
Joshua Higgs Jr. proposed improvements to Davies Street’s north end. However, his plan was never seriously considered.
Bourdon House, at number 2, has two parts. An early Georgian house faces Davies Street. An Edwardian wing extends to Bourdon Street and Grosvenor Hill. Captain William Bourdon first occupied it in 1725. He was a Justice of the Peace. The house was extended after 1737.
Timothy Caswall, a Member of Parliament, lived there later. The Caswall family owned the house since 1737. Diana Caswall inherited it in 1802.
In 1845, Dr. John W. Woodfall, a physician, bought Bourdon House. Dr. Edmund S. Symes followed him. Dr. John Elliotson, a medical pioneer, died there in 1868.
Julia Leslie renovated Bourdon House in 1872. She added an extra story. She also harmonized the facade. After Julia died, Emily Leslie lived there until 1909.
In 1909, the Duke of Westminster ordered repairs and extra rooms. Eustace Balfour designed the new wing. Lord and Lady Essex then occupied the house. The Duke of Westminster lived there from 1917.
After the Duke’s death, Bourdon House became an antique shop.
Numbers 4-26 Davies Street were built from 1910-1912. Edmund Wimperis and J. R. Best designed them. The Manor flats and shops were part of this project.
Claridge House, at numbers 28-36 Davies Street, appeared in 1924. S. Gordon Jeeves designed this seven-story block of flats.
Joshua Higgs built numbers 50-54 in 1839-40. This included the Running Horse pub. It is the oldest pub on the Grosvenor Estate.
In 1889, the St. George’s Rifles built a headquarters at number 56. Charles Herbert Shoppee designed it. Bombing destroyed the building in 1940.
The current drill hall was built in 1950-52. Trenwith Wills designed it.
Boldings’ factory was built at number 58 in 1889-91. J. T. Wimperis and Arber designed it.
Nos. 55-61 are late-Georgian houses built in 1824-7 by Samuel Erlam.
St. Anselm’s Church stood on Davies Street. Eustace Balfour and Thackeray Turner designed it. It was demolished in 1939. Some features were reused in a new church in Belmont.
Number 65 Davies Street is a neo-Georgian office block. It was built in 1948-50. It houses the British Council.
Numbers 75-85 Davies Street were shops and chambers. They were built in 1890-1. C. Stanley Peach designed them.
Davies Street is a mix of history and change. Buildings have been erected, demolished, and rebuilt. Each address holds echoes of London’s past.