Horse Guards building (London)
N 51° 30.283 W 000° 07.643
30U E 699356 N 5709866
Horse Guards is a large building in the Palladian style between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in London.
Waymark Code: WMMMF4
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/09/2014
Views: 15
Horse Guards is a large building in the Palladian style between Whitehall and Horse Guards Parade in London.
The first Horse Guards building was built on the site of the former tiltyard of Westminster Palace in 1664. It was demolished in 1749 and was replaced by the current building which was built between 1751 and 1753 by John Vardy to a design by William Kent. Horse Guards Road runs north-south on the western boundary of the parade ground, while Horse Guards Avenue runs east from Whitehall on other side of the building, to Victoria Embankment.
The building served as the offices of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces until 1904 when the post was abolished and replaced by the Chief of the General Staff. The Chief of the General staff moved to the Old War Office Building in 1906 and Horse Guards subsequently became the headquarters of two major Army commands: the London District and the Household Cavalry. The building is the formal entrance to St. James's Palace via St. James's Park (though this is now entirely symbolic). Only the monarch is allowed to drive through its central archway, or those given a pass (formerly made of ivory).
[excerpted from wiki]