Gloucester House, Mayfair facts for kids
Gloucester House is a famous building located at 137 Piccadilly in London, England. It stands right on the corner of Old Park Lane. This building has a long and interesting history, having been home to important people and even a place where famous ancient sculptures were once shown.
A Home for Important People
The very first Gloucester House was built a long time ago, when King George III was ruling Britain (between 1760 and 1820). This grand house became a home for several important people over the years.
One famous person who lived there was Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin. He was a diplomat who brought ancient Greek sculptures, known as the Parthenon Marbles, to Britain. For a short time, he showed these amazing sculptures at Gloucester House before selling them to the British Crown (the government). Today, you can see these marbles at the British Museum.
Later, from 1816 until 1834, Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester and Edinburgh, lived in the house. After he passed away, another royal, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, moved in and lived there for many years.
From Grand House to Apartments
The original Gloucester House was taken down in 1904, after the Duke of Cambridge died. A new building was constructed in its place. This new building was designed to be apartments, offering homes to many different people.
In 1971, something very exciting happened at this location. The very first Hard Rock Cafe in the world opened its doors here. It became a popular spot for music lovers and food fans, and it's still there today!
