DiCamillo Companion
England

Montagu House, Whitehall

  • Earlier Houses: The first Montagu House, Whitehall, was built in the 18th century for the 2nd Duke of Montagu, who vacated his father's enormous house, Montagu House, Bloomsbury (later sold by his family to the British Museum), for more modest premises. This first house was demolished 1859-60 and replaced by the very grand second Montagu House, Whitehall, built in 1863 for the 5th Duke of Buccleuch.

    Built / Designed For: 5th Duke of Buccleuch

    House & Family History: Montagu House, Whitehall, was an mid-19th century exuberant French-style chateau designed by William Burn. It was one of the last great houses to be built in London and one of the largest, costing the enormous amount of £100,000 (equivalent to approximately £139 million in 2017 inflation-adjusted values). During World War I the House was taken over by the government for use as offices. Montagu House was demolished between 1949 and 1950; its site is today occupied by the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall.

    Collections: Montagu House was home to a large part of the Buccleuch Collection, including canvases by Rembrandt and Rubens and the finest collection of miniatures in Britain.

  • Architect: Henry Flitcroft

    Date: 1731-33
    Designed: Privy Garden for 2nd Duke of Montagu

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    Architect: William Burn

    Date: 1858-59
    Designed: Second House for 5th Duke of Bucclecuh

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  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 369
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 0300072074
    Book Type: Softback

    Title: Great Houses of London, The
    Author: Pearce, David
    Year Published: 1986
    Reference: pg. 186
    Publisher: New York: The Vendome Press
    ISBN: 0865650632
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Demolished

    Park Listed: Destroyed

  • Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT FIRST HOUSE: John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montagu, 18th century. SEATED AT SECOND HOUSE: Walter Francis Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch and 7th Duke of Queensberry, 19th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Demolished

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished

  • House Open to Public: No

    Historic Houses Member: No