Devonshire House

Devonshire House stood in Piccadilly during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was the London home of the Dukes of Devonshire. After a fire in 1733 it was rebuilt in the Palladian style by William Kent for William Cavendish, the 3rd Duke. The house formed part of a row of grand ducal residences along Piccadilly. All but two of these have since been demolished. The house became a centre for fashionable entertainment in the 18th century. The 3rd Duke used the rebuilding after the fire to create a palace for balls and concerts. Kent, protégé of the Earl of Burlington, designed a severe exterior that hid lavish interiors. The Duke’s art collection and library were displayed within, including works by Claude Lorrain and engraved gems. Visitors today find only the memory of Devonshire House on the site. A modern office building occupies the spot. Nearby Berkeley Square preserves part of the original garden strip. The house’s interiors were altered over time by Wyatt and Burton. The grand staircase and ballroom hosted events like the Devonshire House Ball of 1897.