Queen Anne's Mansions

Queen Anne's Mansions was a block of flats in Petty France, Westminster, London at grid reference TQ296795. In 1873, Henry Alers Hankey acquired a site between St. James's Park and St. James Park Station. Acting as his own architect, and employing his own labour, he proceeded to erect the first stage of the block. At twelve stories, later increased to fourteen, it was the loftiest residential building in Britain. The Court Circular for January, 1897 describes them as "a stupendous pile which, for solidity, comfort and general convenience, sets all rivals at defiance, although twenty years have elapsed and imitations have been legion" Hankey further extended the flats in 1874 and 1877 to the south and west. There were objections to the...