Carlton House Terrace is one of John Nash’s most important London compositions: a grand Regency terrace built on the former site of Carlton House, the Prince Regent’s palace, between 1827 and 1833. It was conceived as a dignified classical backdrop to St James’s Park and the Mall, and it remains one of the most prestigious and architecturally ambitious terraces in Britain.
 
The terrace was created after George IV gave up Carlton House, which was demolished and its land redeveloped as “dwelling houses of the First Class.” Nash then laid out the new terrace on Crown land, helping fund work at Buckingham Palace through the leases.
 
The design was influenced by French neoclassical precedent, especially the buildings of the Place de la Concorde in Paris, according to architectural historian Sir John Summerson. Pevsner praised it highly, calling it among “the greatest terrace houses ever built in Britain,” though others have noted Nash’s somewhat loose handling of detail.
 
Interesting facts...
Two more identical terraces were intended opposite on the other side of the Mall. Luckily these where never realised and we have a lovely park instead.