TWO FAMOUS MANSIONS

Southland Times, Issue 21275, 22 December 1930, Page 11

TWO FAMOUS MANSIONS

HISTORIC LONDON HOMES. POLITICS AND TREASURES. There has been considerable discussion among London estate agents and in WestEnd clubs recently, about the future of two famous London homes—Londonderry House in Park Lane and Derby House in Stratford Place. No definite announcement of negotiations has been made in either case, but estate agents have been talking of the possibility of Lord Derby and Lord Londonderry selling their London mansions in the near future. Stratford Place, where Derby House is situated, was once a quiet, dignified residential backwater. But commerce has deeply entrenched itself there, and now only- three residential houses are left. Park Lane, too, once the elite of London thoroughfares, is rapidly losing its character. Hotels now replace houses that were famous in the last century. Londonderry House, standing on the corner of Park Lane and Hertford Street, comnjands a fine view of Hyde Park. It is a site that would attract the envious eyes of building speculators. Thousands of London people would watch Londonderry House disappear with the same feelings of regret as when Grosvenor House and Dorchester House were, pulled down. Londonderry House is famous for the brilliant Conservative receptions which have been held there for many years. Lady Londonderry is one of London’s foremost hostesses. In the Victorian era most of the crowned heads of Europe were guests at the brilliant functions held there. The house contains many treasures, including a fine collection of china in Lady Londonderry’s boudoir, some splendid statuary by Canova, Sargent’s coronation portrait of the late Lord Londonderry, and Honpner’s portrait of the younger Pitt. Derby House was built in 1775, and during the time that Lord Derby has lived there, it has been the scene of many secret political gatherings.