1804-1812
Montagu Square, 1811-1821 Bryanston Square, 1812-26 Dorset Square.
The actual building of the squares and of all the streets was not undertaken directly by the Estate. The architects responsible for their design were David Porter and James Thompson Parkinson, though they were no doubt instructed by the Estate. In fact the Estate dictated the lines of the streets and the open spaces, then leased the land to private and speculative builders. This separation of responsibility was the way in which the area developed: direction and control came from the Estate, while the builders were responsible for providing the services. Most of the streets took their names from the Portman family’s country estates and their family names.
1802
The balloon ascent of 1802 from Dorset Square attracted a very large crowd, including the Prince Regent. The balloonist was André Garnerin. He landed safely at Chingford but it rained and one of the spectators’ stands collapsed, causing injuries and even loss of life. An observant reporter from The Times also noted that ‘in the mud several of the ladies lost their shoes before reaching their carriages’.
Britain’s first curry house opened at 34 (now 102) George Street
1823
Death of Edward Berkeley Portman (born 1771) in Rome. His son Edward (born 1799), who has the same name as his father, was MP for Dorset from 1823 and in 1832 became MP for St Marylebone
Church Street & Lisson Grove area developed
1835
Madame Tussaud’s waxworks exhibition opens in the new Baker Street Bazaar.
Madame Tussaud (1761-1850) toured Britain with her waxworks exhibition for 30 years before setting up a permanent display in the Baker Street Bazaar in 1835. This included the Chamber of Horrors and was immensely popular from the beginning. In 1884 the exhibition moved to its present home on Marylebone Road, designed by Frederick Hunt, principal surveyor to the Portman Estate.
1837
Edward Berkeley Portman created Baron Portman of Orchard Portman.
Lord Portman was a knowledgeable and very successful agriculturalist. In 1837 he was created Baron Portman of Orchard Portman and in 1873 Viscount Portman of Bryanston, after having served for many years as a councillor of both the Duchy of Cornwall and the Duchy of Lancaster.
On her accession to the throne in 1837 Queen Victoria invited Lady Portman to become a lady of the bedchamber, a position she held for 15 years. In 1839 she was involved in the court scandal known as the Lady Flora Hastings affair, but both she and Lord Portman and their children remained on very friendly terms with the Queen, being invited to all the major court occasions.
1839
The Baker Street Bazaar replaced the Life Guards stables to the west of Baker Street. It occupied the site of the present 55 Baker Street. The annual Smithfield Show was held here for over 20 years.
Orchard House is demolished
1863 – 1872
The celebrations for Edward Portman’s 21st birthday in 1877 at Hestercombe House. The 2nd Viscount had acquired Hestercombe House, which is a short distance north of Taunton, in 1872 for Edward, his eldest son. Edward spent most of his life there but died in 1911, before his father. His widow, Mrs Constance Portman, lived on there until 1951.
Lord Portman created Viscount Portman
Madame Tussauds moves to its new Marylebone Road building
1888
In 1888 a large number of the Estate’s original leases came up for renewal. Rents went up, creating a huge growth in income for the Estate.
1888
A 25 inch Ordnance Survey map marked to show the extent of the Estate at the time of the death of the 1st Viscount Portman in 1888. The Estate was then at the peak of its development. Less than ten years later both Harewood and Blandford Squares had to be demolished to make way for Marylebone Station.
1888 – 1890
1890
Mansion blocks
Flats gradually became popular during the second half of the 19th century. Portman and Montagu Mansions for example were built during the 1890s followed by many other large blocks in the 20th century. Meanwhile major philanthropic housing organisations such as the Artizans’, Labourers’ and General Dwellings Company were building blocks of flats for the poor. Portman Buildings in Lisson Grove, opened in 1888, was the first of these blocks to be built on the Estate, but there were several others including Seymour Buildings and Wendover Buildings.
Death of Viscount Portman.
Three generations of the Portman family pictured in 1877: the 1st Viscount, who died in 1888, his son William Henry, who became the 2nd Viscount and his eldest son, Edward William
1890
Mansion blocks
Flats gradually became popular during the second half of the 19th century. Portman and Montagu Mansions for example were built during the 1890s followed by many other large blocks in the 20th century. Meanwhile major philanthropic housing organisations such as the Artizans’, Labourers’ and General Dwellings Company were building blocks of flats for the poor. Portman Buildings in Lisson Grove, opened in 1888, was the first of these blocks to be built on the Estate, but there were several others including Seymour Buildings and Wendover Buildings.
1894
Marylebone Station was completed and opened in 1899, robbing the Portman Estate of two fine squares, Harewood Square and Blandford Square.
1898
An extract from one of Charles Booth’s maps of the London poor of 1898-99, coloured to show income and social class. The colours range from yellow for the wealthiest areas down through red, blue and purple for varying degrees below that to black, which Booth described as indicating the ‘vicious and semi-criminal’ classes. At that time the Estate included examples of all these classes.
