Norfolk House

Coordinates: 51°30′26″N 0°8′2″W / 51.50722°N 0.13389°W / 51.50722; -0.13389

The Music Room from Norfolk House, St James's Square, London, 1748-1756 V&A Museum no. W.70:1-1938

Norfolk House is on the far right on this mid 18th century engraving.

The location of Norfolk House is shown on this 1799 map.

Norfolk House, at 31 St James's Square, London, was built in 1722 for the Duke of Norfolk. It was a royal residence for a short time only, when Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of King George III, lived there 1737-1741, after his marriage in 1736 to Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, daughter of Frederick II, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. King George III was born in the house, which was offered to the royal couple by the 9th Duke of Norfolk.

The family moved to Leicester House in 1742, and it was to remain the prince’s home until his death nine years later, and that of his widow until her death in 1764.

The original Norfolk House remained in the ownership of the Dukes of Norfolk until 1938 when it was pulled down, and the site became an office building. This building served as offices for military brass from a variety of allied forces including the Canadian 1st Army and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe under General Dwight D. Eisenhower in World War II. Two plaques on the exterior of the building acknowledge the role of the building in World War II.

Part of the interior of the eighteenth century house still survives, in particular the Music Room, designed by Giovanni Battista Borra for the 9th Duke. Restored and redecorated to its original scheme of pure white paint with gilt, carved woodwork, after having been in storage, the room is now displayed in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Today the building is modern offices, the interior having been fully gutted and refitted in recent years.

External links

• Detailed history and description - from the Survey of London.
• "Norfolk House Music Room". Furniture. Victoria and Albert Museum. http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/furniture/furniture_features/musical_instruments/norfolk_house/index.html. Retrieved 2008-07-01.