Dolphin Square

Dolphin Square is a private estate of flats near the River Thames in Pimlico, London, built between 1935 and 1937. It was Europe's largest self-contained block of flats at the time, with over 1,250 units. Designed by architect Gordon Jeeves and engineered by Oscar Faber, Dolphin Square became a model for later housing developments. It sits on land once owned by Thomas Cubitt, the developer of the Pimlico area, and was later the site of the Royal Army Clothing Depot. In 1933, when the lease reverted to the Duke of Westminster, an American firm purchased the land but sold the project to Richard Costain Ltd., which led to the construction of Dolphin Square.

The building, with its neo-Georgian architecture, is made of reinforced concrete with brick and stone facades. Construction involved significant material use, including 200,000 tons of earth being moved, 125,000 tons of concrete poured, and over 12 million bricks laid. The total cost was around £2 million, and when completed, the estate featured a variety of flat sizes, from one-bedroom suites to five-bedroom apartments, some with maid’s rooms.

Amenities for residents included a swimming pool, bar, gym, and shops. The estate also featured a garage for 300 cars, a library, and communal gardens designed by landscape architect Richard Sudell. These 3.5-acre gardens, a mix of formal and informal styles, are now Grade II listed.

Dolphin Square's location near Westminster and intelligence agencies such as MI5 and MI6 made it a popular residence for politicians and civil servants. Over the years, notable residents have included Prime Ministers Harold Wilson and William Hague and actors, writers, and public figures like Rod Laver, Princess Anne, and Christine Keeler of the Profumo affair. The complex has also been home to infamous figures like Soviet spy John Vassall and British fascist leader Oswald Mosley.

During World War II, General Charles de Gaulle's Free French movement had its headquarters in Grenville House, and MI5 used part of the estate for intelligence operations. Despite its rich history, some original plans for Dolphin Square, such as a riverside wharf with a cafe and marina, were never realized.

Ownership of Dolphin Square has changed hands several times, with the American Westbrook Holdings group purchasing it in 2006 for £200 million. More recently, in 2020, Axa Investment Managers acquired the property. Today, Dolphin Square remains a prominent residential estate known for its combination of history, prime location, and self-contained living.