Dolphin
Square, London
Architect
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Gordon Jeeves - consulting engineer Oscar Faber
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Date Built
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1935 - 1937
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Location
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Grosvenor Road, Pimlico
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Description
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Dolphin Square is a huge apartment
complex that faces on to Grosvenor Road in
Pimlico. The building's website describes
it as, "... an impressive blend of
imposing architectureal grandeur and
tranquil, landscaped gardens."
The gardens were designed by Richard
Suddell who at the time was the President of the
Institute of Landscaped Architects.
Apparently Sir Nicholaus Pevsner
pointed out that when it was completed Dolphin
Square was, "the largest self-contained
block of flats in Europe," reflecting
that it contained 1250 up-market flats.
The building occupies a site that was once home
to an Army clothing factory. An American
developer bought the site with plans to build a
residential complex called Ormonde Court.
This plan failed and the property ended up with
Richard Rylands Costain who started the
construction of Dolphin Square in 1935.
The complex is made up of
13 houses all of them named after famous
naval personalities including Nelson, Drake,
Rodney and Frobisher. Below are the
entrances to ...
Hawkins House
Grenville House
Various sources refer to
the complex as a village that caters to all
the needs of its occupants. The
Dolphin Square website cites the American
travel writer Temple Fielding who described
it as a "mini city".
They go on to add that, "... the size
of the building, the number of tenants,
the sheer scope of the amenities and the
central location all belie the fact that
Dolphin Square is indeed an oasis of
calm in the city." Those
amenities include, "... a
comprehensively-equipped fitness club
complete with a wide choice of classes,
17 metre swimming pool, sauna and steam
room, luxurious multi award-winning
Moroccan spa, the Dolphin Bar &
Grill with its superb selection of
English cuisine, and an onsite shopping
arcade where you can stock up on
provisions, buy a newspaper or pick up
those last minute essentials. Our own
tennis court and croquet lawn on the
banks of the adjacent River Thames are
for exclusive use by residents. There
are also two social clubs solely for
tenants, should you choose to
participate."
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