Spencer House, Westminster facts for kids
Spencer House is a beautiful old home located at 27 St James's Place in the St James's area of Westminster, Greater London, England. It's a special kind of house called a town house, which means it was a large, fancy home in the city for a wealthy family. Spencer House is so important that it's a Grade I listed building, meaning it's protected for its historical and architectural value.
Contents
Building a Grand Home
Why Spencer House Was Built
In 1756, a very important person named John Spencer decided to build Spencer House. He later became the first Earl Spencer. He wanted a big, impressive home in London to show his high social standing and importance.
The Architects Who Designed It
John Spencer first chose an architect named John Vardy. Vardy had learned from another famous architect, William Kent. Vardy designed the outside of the house, which is still what we see today.
In 1758, another architect, James "Athenian" Stuart, took over. Stuart had studied ancient Greek buildings and art. Because of him, Spencer House became one of the first buildings in London to use authentic Greek details in its inside decoration. This made it a very early example of the neoclassical style, which soon became very popular across the country.
Life at Spencer House
A Home for High Society
For many years, Spencer House was the home of the Earls and Countesses Spencer. The grand rooms inside were often used for important events and parties for London's high society. It was a place where important people gathered.
Changes Over Time
The Spencer family lived in the house continuously until 1895. After that, they rented it out. They did return for a short time in the early 1900s. Later, the house was rented out as a club or as offices. During the Blitz in World War II, many of its original valuable items, like special furniture and fireplaces, were removed for safety.
Spencer House Today
Who Owns and Uses It Now
Spencer House is still owned by the Earls Spencer. The current owner is Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, who is the brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. However, since World War II, the house has been rented out. For example, in 1948, it was leased to Christie's auctioneers. Later, it was rented by the British Oxygen Company in 1956 and the Economist Intelligence Unit in 1963.
Restoration and Value
On December 25, 1986, a company called RIT Capital Partners, which belongs to the family of Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild, signed a long lease for Spencer House. This lease was for 96 years, with an option to extend it for another 24 years. The annual rent was £85,000.
After this, the main rooms and garden of Spencer House were carefully restored. They were made to look just as they did when the house was first built. In 2017, the value of the lease for Spencer House was estimated to be £35 million.
One of the Last Grand Homes
Spencer House is one of the few remaining grand aristocratic townhouses in central London. Many similar homes, like Lancaster House, Bridgewater House, Dudley House, Lombard House, and Apsley House, once filled the city. Spencer House stands as a reminder of that grand past.
