Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 45. (1997)
AGSTNER, Rudolf: Von Chandos House zum Belgrave Square. Österreichs Botschaft in London 1815–1997
own their houses which have been bought by their governments“. The ambassador concluded, that „it would be most expedient if the Imperial Government would decide to follow this example“. Having obtained the approval of the Austrian Finance Minister, Apponyi started looking for appropriate town houses, which was not easy, „as the bigger ones were too expensive, the cheaper ones too small, and the most desirable not for sale“. Among the buildings Apponyi proposed to buy were N° 23, Grosvenor Square, belonging to the Duchess of Norfolk, and Cambridge House in Piccadilly, available after the death of its lessee Viscount Palmerston. III. OnN° 18, Belgrave Square, 1866-1892 In March of 1866, annus horribilis of Austrian history, which was to bring war with Prussia and Italy, the dissolution of the German Confederation, the loss of Venice and a critical financial state, Apponyi finally found what he had been looking for. Without bothering to ask for Vienna’s approval, knowing that the Finance Minister would object anyway, he concluded a sublease for the townhouse 18, Belgrave Square. The building belongs to Sir Henry Meux, a lunatic under guardianship, and is situated in Belgrave Square, one of the best and most noble parts of London ... The house costs 1800 LSt. ... Unfortunately, the guardians would not agree to a lease of more than three years ... Although the house is rented .fully furnished“, it is virtually empty ... Austria (-Hungary) and her Diplomatic Mission in London 1815-1997 IV. The new embassy building The new residence of the Imperial-Royal Austrian ambassador (as of December 1867 Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian) and chancery of the embassy had been built between 1814 and 1825 by architect George Basevi according to a development plan for Belgrave Square by Thomas Cubitt and Joseph Cundry. The actual builder and first resident was philanthropist William Haldimand whose 99 year lease ran from Ladyday 1825 to Ladyday 1924. The building was situated on an area of 10. 686 square feet at the western side of Belgrave Square, Parish St. George Hanover Square in Middlesex County. It had 4 floors facing Belgrave Square, and 5 floors on the back facing the mews. In 1866, it consisted of 74 living rooms, salons, corridors, ante-rooms, servants pantries, staircases and closets. V. In search of a definite solution Due to the state of health of Sir Henry Meux, holder of the Westminster lease, the Austro-Hungarian embassy was able only to rent the premises for periods of three years, and in the 1880s for three periods of two years, followed by two contracts for one year only in 1890 and 1891. This state of affairs prompted various ambassadors to suggest that the Austro-Hungarian government acquire a townhouse. All these proposals, which i. a. included a townhouse in Cadogan Square, a house of the Duke 49
