The site on the south side of Hans Crescent was originally part of an open area known as Long Field.

The area was developed by an actuary, John Goddard, and his partner, William Watkins, who acquired the freehold of the Brompton Estate in the 1880s.

[2] It designed by Read & MacDonald in the Renaissance style, built by Stephens & Baston with interior fittings by S. J. Waring & Sons and was completed in 1896.

The end bays were formed by triangular shaped towers which were surmounted by leaded ogee-shaped cupolas.

[14] The conversion, which was carried by Kværner,[15] involved the creation of a 25 metres (82 ft) deep basement as well as a tunnel connecting the building to the main Harrods store in Brompton Road.