FAMOUS MANSION AS CLUB

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17236, 16 April 1930, Page 18

FAMOUS MANSION AS CLUB

PRIVATE THEATRE LANDSDOWNE HOUSE SALE LONDON, Feb. 24. Latisdowno House, the magnificent eighteenth century, Adam-built house in Berkeley Square, W., which, with adjacent property, was sold by Lord Lansdowne to Mr. Benson Greenali last year for £730,000, was 'bought yesterday on behalf of the Bruton Club, and will be converted into $ luxurious club, with a private theatre, a swimming bath, and squash racket courts attached. It is understood that the amount involved is £250,000. Mr. J. Barrington, who, with Mr. Victor Sheridan, represented the Bruton Club in the. transaction, told a press representative that half an acre of ground accompanied the house. “The frontage on Berkeley street,” he continued, “remains in the hands of Mr. Grenall, and I do not know what his plans are. It has been settled, howover, that a new street will be made on the site of Lansdowne Passage, connecting! Berkeley street with Curzon street, and another, from Curzon Square, which will run in front of the house and enter the Lansdowne Passage street at a right angle. SEATING FOR 800. “The theatre will be constructed partly at the back of the house and partly at one side. Its entrance will lie from Curzon street, and it will have seating accommodation for about 800 people. “All the features of a club will be incorporated in the altered building. The old sculpture gallery will become, a ballroom. The (beautiful Adam facade will lie preserved, though it will be moved hack a few feet to allow for the now street.” The Bruton Club, which is housed at present in Bruton street, has men and women members, and is interested in theatricals. Its vice-presidents include Mr. John Drinkwater and Earl Howe. The special provisions to be made in the new house for women members will include a hair-dressing saloon. A romantic interest attaches to the sunken passage which once separated Lansdowne House from Devonshire Bouse, and which is now doomed to disappear. A mounted highwayman, who had committed a robbery in Piccadilly, was said to have escaped his' pursuers by galloping through it. Consequently, a thick iron bar was put up at each end to prevent a repetition of his adventure.