Grosvenor Square, Mayfair
A prestigious garden square with American ties and aristocratic roots
Where is Grosvenor Square?
Grosvenor Square is located in the heart of Mayfair, one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods in the City of Westminster. It lies between Oxford Street to the north and Piccadilly to the south, roughly midway between Hyde Park and Soho.
The square sits just west of Bond Street and north of Mount Street, and is part of the historic Grosvenor Estate.
How big is Grosvenor Square?
Grosvenor Square itself is one of the largest garden squares in central London, measuring approximately 2.5 hectares (6.5 acres) in area. The streets that run around the square form a perimeter, rather than a through street, and are not particularly long – the focus is really on the square rather than a defined "Grosvenor Square Street."
History of Grosvenor Square
The square was laid out in the early 18th century as part of the Grosvenor family's development of the Mayfair estate. It was first planned in the 1720s and largely completed by the 1730s, becoming a fashionable address for the British aristocracy.
The square featured grand townhouses surrounding a private garden, in the typical Georgian model of urban planning. Over the centuries, some of the original buildings were replaced or remodelled, but the square retained its prestige and charm.
How it got its name – and how to say it
Grosvenor Square takes its name from the Grosvenor family, who have owned much of Mayfair since the 17th century. The name was given around the time the square was first developed in the 1720s.
Despite the spelling, "Grosvenor" is commonly pronounced “GROV-ner” /ˈɡrəʊv.nə/. The second syllable (“venor”) is silent.
Map of Grosvenor Square, London
Connecting roads
The square is connected to several surrounding streets, including:
- Upper Brook Street (north side)
- Grosvenor Street (east side)
- Brook Street (northeast corner)
- Duke Street (south side)
- South Audley Street (west side)
These roads provide access in all directions and connect Grosvenor Square to the rest of Mayfair’s elegant grid of streets.
Notable buildings and landmarks
Grosvenor Square is well known for its historical associations with the United States. It was home to the American Embassy from 1938 until 2017. The embassy building, designed in the 1960s by Eero Saarinen, was a landmark of post-war architecture.
Although the U.S. Embassy has now moved to Nine Elms, the building remains an iconic part of the square and is being redeveloped into a luxury hotel.
Other notable sites include:
- The Eisenhower statue, commemorating the U.S. general and president
- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial
- The September 11 Memorial Garden
Painting of Grosvenor Square (View full-size image here)
Nearest London Underground stations
Grosvenor Square is well-served by public transport. The closest Underground stations are:
- Bond Street (Central and Jubilee lines) – about a 5-minute walk
- Marble Arch (Central line) – around a 7-minute walk
- Oxford Circus (Central, Victoria, and Bakerloo lines) – roughly 10 minutes away on foot
Fun fact: "Little America" in London
During World War II, Grosvenor Square became known as “Little America” due to the concentration of American institutions and personnel in the area. General Dwight D. Eisenhower had his headquarters there, and thousands of U.S. military personnel passed through the square during the war effort.
Today, the American legacy is still visible through memorials and statues that honour the U.S.–UK alliance.