Fitzroy
Square is a Georgian square in London, England. It is the only one in the
central London area known as Fitzrovia. The square is one of the area's main
features, this once led to the surrounding district to be known as Fitzroy
Square or Fitzroy Town and latterly as Fitzrovia, though the nearby Fitzroy
Tavern is thought to have had as much influence on the name as Fitzroy Square.
History
The square,
nearby Fitzroy Street, and the Fitzroy Tavern in Charlotte Street have the
family name of Charles FitzRoy, 2nd Duke of Grafton, into whose ownership the
land passed through his marriage. His descendant Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron
Southampton developed the area during the late 18th and early 19th century.
Fitzroy
Square was a speculative development intended to provide London residences for
aristocratic families, and was built in four stages. Leases for the eastern and
southern sides, designed by Robert Adam, were granted in 1792; building began
in 1794 and was completed in 1798 by Adam's brothers James and William.
These buildings are fronted in Portland stone brought by sea from Dorset.
The
Napoleonic Wars and a slump in the London property market brought a temporary
stop to construction of the square after the south and east sides were
completed. According to the records of the Squares Frontagers' Committee, 1815
residents looked out on "vacant ground, the resort of the idle and
profligate". Another contemporary account describes the incomplete square:
The houses
are faced with stone, and have a greater proportion of architectural excellence
and embellishment than most others in the metropolis. They were designed by the
Adams, but the progress of the late war prevented the completion of the design.
It is much to be regretted, that it remains in its present unfinished state.
The
northern and western sides were subsequently constructed in 1827–29 and 1832–35
respectively, and are stucco-fronted.
The south
side suffered bomb damage during World War II and was rebuilt with traditional
facades to remain in keeping with the rest of the square.
Present day
The square
was largely pedestrianised in the 1970s, as part of a scheme designed by Sir
Geoffrey Jellicoe and undertaken as part of environmental improvement
works. In 2008 the square was upgraded by relaying most of the surface at
a single level, removing street clutter such as bollards, and further
restricting vehicular access.
The square
is at the heart of the Fitzrovia conservation area and is the subject of the
Fitzroy Square conservation area appraisal and management strategy adopted by
the London Borough of Camden in March 2010.
It is interesting that the Napoleonic Wars damaged the property market over 200 years ago. Some things never change!
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