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Browse > Mayfair / Squares and Parks / Berkeley Square

Berkeley Square


Berkeley Square, Mayfair

A sign at the entrance to the square provides a brief history:

Berkeley Square was named after John Berkeley, first Lord Berkeley of Stratton, who took possession of the land to the north of his newly acquired house in Piccadilly in 1675. The 4th Lord Berkeley and his son John entered into an agreement with two carpenters, Edward Cook and Francis Hillard, for a building lease of about six and a half acres of the Berkeley fields for the development of their estate.

The bricks of the new buildings were made on the spot from earth dug in Berkeley fields. The first houses to define the square were constructed around 1738 on the East Side. Standing on their own they were first named Berkeley Row. The West side was finished in 1745 and were described as bring part of a “new intended square called Berkeley Square.”

Construction of the square was held up by a restrictive covenant imposed on Lord Berkeley which said any development must not “annoy” Devonshire House, which was at the square’s south side. The first house in Berkeley Square was occupied by Sir Cecil Bishop in 1741.

According to Reginald Corby’s book, “Mayfair: A Town Within London”, the building in the centre of the square – seen below right – which resembles a summer house was actually originally used as a pumping station, providing water for a nearby resident.

Berkeley Square Mayfair

The old pumping station building in the centre of the square is now used for general storage by Westminster Council.

Related: Serviced offices in Berkeley Square

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