:''This article refers to a town square in London. For other meanings of Berkeley or Berkeley Square, see
Berkeley.''

Berkeley Square in 1830.

Berkeley Square in 2005
'Berkeley Square' is a town square in the
West End of
London in the
City of Westminster, originally laid out in the mid
18th century by
architect William Kent. It is named after the noble
Gloucestershire family of the same name whose London home, Berkeley House, had stood nearby until 1733.
Berkeley Square is a mostly residential enclave inhabited almost exclusively by residents who are most likely of extremely well-to-do financial means and some even of titled or peeraged gentry. A residence in Berkeley Square is highly sought after, and residences do not come up on the market very often at all. The limited supply and great demand has created a market where a residence in Berkeley Square commands higher-than-usual prices on the realty market compared to similar residences, even in other affluent neighborhoods.
The square features a statue by
Alexander Munro, a
Pre-Raphaelite sculptor, made in
1858. The surrounding
London Plane trees are among the oldest in central London, planted in
1789.
The buildings around the square include several by other notable architects including
Robert Adam, who designed
Lansdowne House (since 1935 home of the Lansdowne Club) in the south-west corner of the square.
50 Berkeley Square is the most infamous
haunted house in London. The house is currently occupied by Maggs Brothers Antiquarian Booksellers.
[1]
Residents of Berkeley Square have included:
★
George Canning, UK Prime Minister (1827) - at no. 50
★
Winston Churchill lived at no.48 as a child
★
Robert Clive of India - bought no. 45 in 1761 and committed
suicide there in 1774.
See also
★
Lansdowne House
★
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square - a 1940
song written by
Manning Sherwin &
Eric Maschwitz, and most famously performed by
Vera Lynn, and a 1979
film directed by
Ralph Thomas.
★ ''
Berkeley Square'', the 1933 film starring
Leslie Howard
References
1. London-Walks.co.uk - 50 Berkeley Square, The Most Haunted House In London, accessed 2007-07-24.
External links
★
Berkeley Square, Mayfair London business directory
★
UKLI Berkeley Square, Mayfair London
★
Local hotels, Shops in Berkeley Square