A Brief History: Egerton Terrace, The Home of Peter Pan and Dorian Gray

Many of you may be well acquainted with the affluent area of Knightsbridge. It’s known for luxury shopping, high-end restaurants, and grand residential properties. But do you know about the rich history of one single, but highly remarkable road in the area, Egerton Terrace?

Egerton Terrace was named after the Egerton family, who were prominent landowners in the area. The family owned much of the land around Knightsbridge and were responsible for developing the area into a fashionable residential district. The road was built in the late 19th century and quickly became popular with wealthy families who wanted to live in grand Victorian townhouses.

The writers of Egerton Terrace

In fact, the road graced the likes of Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde who lived at number 34 Egerton Terrace from 1887 to 1889, during which time he wrote his only novel, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. This period was also marked by scandal and controversy for Wilde, as he became embroiled in a highly publicised affair with Lord Alfred Douglas. The scandal eventually led to Wilde’s downfall and imprisonment, but his time at Egerton Terrace is remembered as a productive and creative period in his career.

In the early 20th century, many of the houses here were converted into flats to accommodate the growing number of people who wanted to live in Knightsbridge. Around the same time, author Virginia Woold moved into number 52 Egerton Terrace from 1904 to 1907, during which time she wrote some of her most famous works, including “The Voyage Out” and “Night and Day”. Meanwhile, a couple of doors down at 100 Egerton Terrace, Sir James Barrie, the Scottish author and playwright, was busy penning his play, “Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”. He lived on the street between 1900 to 1909, and famously dressed up in a gorilla suit to entertain the Llewelyn Davies boys, who inspired Peter Pan.

During World War II, the area was heavily bombed, and many of the properties were damaged or destroyed. After the war, the houses were restored to their former glory, and Egerton Terrace once again became a desirable place to live.

Egerton Terrace in the 21st Century

Today, it is one of the most exclusive addresses in London. The average price for a property on the road is over £10 million, making it one of the most expensive streets in the country. The road is now home to wealthy businessmen, celebrities, and royalty, who enjoy the extensive privacy and luxury that the road affords.

Egerton Terrace has a rich history, from its origins as a grand Victorian townhouse street to its current status as one of the most exclusive addresses in London. At Bold & Reeves we’re committed to helping them maintain properties like these to the highest standards. Please get in touch to find out how we can help with your property maintenance needs.