George Downing was considered a fine government administrator and able diplomat, however, he was also considered to be a miserly, profiteering, and unpleasant man…Today’s Downing Street is located on some of the most important and valuable real estate in London. In 1682, George Downing, seeking to make his fortune in property, secured leases to the area and employed Sir Christopher Wren to design terraced houses along a new street. Between 1682 and 1684, existing properties were demolished, and Downing Street was created. Downing, however, had the homes built cheaply in order to maximize his profits. Poor construction aside, Number 10 Downing Street was home to several prominent residents. In 1735, King George II presented Number 10 to Sir Robert Walpole, who held the title First Lord of the Treasury and effectively served as the first Prime Minister. At the time, Walpole refused the property as a personal gift, and asked the King to make it available as an official residence to him and to future First Lords of the Treasury—starting the tradition that continues today. Number 10 Downing Street has become both residence and place of work for Britain’s Prime Ministers. Number 10 has undergone significant re-construction throughout history and many structural and technological upgrades have been installed – from the arrival of hot running water in 1877 to the first tweet in 2008.
- 10 Downing Street
- London SW1A 2AA
- www.no10.gov.uk
- Underground: Westminster