Portman Square


Portman Square is a garden square in Marylebone London, specifically for private housing let on long leases having a ground rent by the Portman Estate, which owns the private communal gardens. It marks the western end of Wigmore Street, which connects it to Cavendish Square to the east.

History

Context and development

It was built between 1765 and 1784 on land belonging to Henry William Portman.
An infantry barracks, Portman Square Barracks, was built between Portman and Orchard Streets; it was demolished in about 1860.
At the east end of the garden, thus marking one end of Baker Street and of Orchard Street is the Hamilton Memorial Drinking fountain. This is statutorily protected and recognised in the mainstream, initial category.

Notable residents

Its houses were in its first century let or rented in toto by Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, Sir Brook Bridges, 3rd Baronet, Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne, George Keppel, 6th Earl of Albemarle, Sir Charles Asgill, 1st Baronet, and William Henry Percy. Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife, maintained his London home at № 15.

Notable houses

About a third of the north side is in the statutory category scheme, described above but in the rarest, highest category, Grade I.