145 Piccadilly

[1][2] It was built c. 1795 to designs by Samuel Pepys Cockerell for Sir Drummond Smith, 1st Baronet.

[4] The German pianist and composer Jacques Blumenthal held his Annual Grande Matinee Musicale at the house in June 1859 when it was the residence of Spencer Compton, 2nd Marquess of Northampton.

[9] The freehold of the house was held by the Crown Estate and the remaining 21 years of the lease were put up for tender in November 1921.

[11] The Health and Empire Christmas Market was opened at the house by Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll in 1922.

[1] The day nursery had a tall cabinet with curios and gifts from all over the British Empire given by the princess's grandmother, Queen Mary.

[1] The Yorks stood before crowds on the balcony of the house on 27 June 1927 with their baby daughter, Elizabeth, following their return from the trip.

[1] The Yorks moved from 145 Piccadilly in December 1936 to Buckingham Palace with George's ascension to the British throne following the abdication of his brother Edward.

[16] An exhibition of 'Royal and Historic Treasures' was held at the house from late June until the end of September 1939, in aid of the Heritage Craft Schools for Crippled Children in the Sussex town of Chailey.

[17] The exhibition featured objects on loan from the British royal family, London livery companies and other public collections.

Among the curios on display were a waistcoat worn by Christopher Wren at the opening of St. Paul's Cathedral, a sleeping bag owned by Antarctic explorer Lawrence Oates, Elizabeth I's petticoat, a table belonging to Marie Antoinette, and an artist's palette which was used by J. M. W.

[18] The house was badly damaged during the London Blitz of World War II during an air raid on 7 October 1940.

[22] In 1969 142, 143, 144, and 145 Piccadilly were owned on a leasehold tenure by Amalgamated West End Developments, a subsidiary of the Stock Conversion and Investment Trust.