History

History

King’s, Falconer’s and Minster’s - 51 Buckingham Gate’s three seven storey townhouses were named in keeping with the area’s historical associations.

Art without ostentation – this is the ethos of 51, which has seen it remain as exclusive as it is today.

 
Interesting facts
 
Home of reputedly the longest frieze in existence anywhere in the world, decorated with scenes from Shakespeare’s ‘Sylvan Plays’ – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labours Lost, As You Like It and Much Ado About Nothing.
 
Central courtyard garden fountain reputedly a gift from Queen Victoria.
It was important as a political meeting place. During the War Years, over cigars, port and coffee round quiet dining tables, decisions were made that would affect the whole world.


51’s timeline
 
1897 - Built in the Edwardian period by an English gentleman, Major Charles Pawley, a Royal Engineer. The listing of residents read like a cross between Burke’s Peerage, Burke’s Landed Gentry and Who’s Who.
 
1907 – Home of the War Office which was running the British Army.
 
1982 - Bought by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces (of the Tata empire).
 
1999- 2000 - Creation of an exclusive five star townhouse residence, a spacious, private and ultimately luxurious home from home in the heart of London. Designed by Noel Pearce and Dan Nelson.
 
May 2001 – The opening of the Prime Minister’s Suite, room No. 10, fittingly by former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable John Major.
 
2001
51 Buckingham Gate becomes the home from home for presidents, princes, rock stars and sporting greats.
 
June 2002
51 enjoyed the privileged position as the nearest five star property to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations attracting many celebrity entertainers for the night.