MarkKelleher

By MarkKelleher

Marble Arch, London

John Nash designed this in 1827 as part of the newly built Buckingham Palace. It is based on the Arc de Triompe in Paris. George IV was the king at the time and he was a great overspender. When he died in 1830, construction stopped while it was worked out what could be afforded, but the palace remained empty for several years.

By the time Victoria came to the thrown in 1837, the palace was finished but they discovered it was too small for her household, so it was extended and Marble Arch wasn't needed.

The arch was moved in 1851 to become the entrance gate to Hyde Park at Speaker's Corner, and a police station was built inside it.

It was moved again in 1964 to the current site, on a traffic island. There are rumours that it might be moved back in the future.

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