Manchester Square

Not to be confused with Manchester Square, Los Angeles or Manchester Square, New South Wales.

Manchester Square in the 1790s

Hertford House, home of the Wallace Collection, viewed from the gardens in Manchester Square

Manchester Square Improvement Act 1789
Act of Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
Long title	An Act for the Improvement of Manchester Square, within the Parish of Saint Mary-le-bone, in the County of Middlesex.
Citation	29 Geo. 3. c. 5
Territorial extent	Great Britain
Dates
Royal assent	24 March 1789
Commencement	20 November 1788
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted

Manchester Square is an 18th-century garden square in Marylebone, central London. Centred 950 feet (290 m) north of Oxford Street it measures 300 feet (91 m) internally north-to-south, and 280 feet (85 m) across. It is a small Georgian square, predominantly 1770s-designed. Construction began around 1776. The north side has a central mansion, Hertford House, which is flanked by approach ways. Its first name was Manchester House and since 1897 it has housed the Wallace Collection of fine and decorative arts. The square forms part of west Marylebone, most of which sees minor but overarching property interests held by one owner (through lease reversions managed as the Portman Estate). Many buildings have been recognised by statutory protection as listed buildings.