| |
THE HISTORY OF
MAYFAIR
Most of the area was first developed between the mid
17th century and the mid 18th century as a fashionable
residential district, by a number of landlords, the
most important of them the Grosvenor family. The freehold
of a large section of Mayfair also belongs to Queen
Elizabeth II.
Mayfair has been owned by the Grosvenor family since
1677 and takes its name from the 15-day May Fair, once
held here every year. The May Fair moved from
Haymarket to the site of today's Curzon Street and Shepherd
Market in 1686 but a century later it was suppressed
by the local nobility for lowering the tone of the neighbourhood.
Mayfair's expansive and handsome architecture has always
attracted the very wealthy.
For nearly 300 years the most influential people in
the land have enjoyed its elegant squares, broad Georgian
thoroughfares and beautiful parks. Mayfair also
boasts the capital's most exclusive shops, hotels,
restaurants and clubs.
Mayfair is dominated in the north by three large squares:
Grosvenor, Hanover and Berkeley.
The vast Grosvenor Square, which houses the US Embassy,
has a statue of Franklin D Roosevelt at its centre.
Mayfair's commercial district lies to the east. Lots
of other embassies are around this area.
This area includes Savile Row, world-famous for its
tailoring, and New and Old Bond Streets, renowned for
their jewellery, antiques and clothing.
New Bond Street is also known for its auction houses;
the most famous being Phillips and Sotheby's .
|
