PrintHistory at No.3 Robert Street
No.3 Robert Street is a Grade II listed building. Along with Nos 1 & 2 it forms one of the remaining parts of the original Adelphi development designed by the Adam brothers between 1768 & 1774.
This area was occupied from the early Middle Ages by Durham Place, the London residence of the Bishops of Durham.
In 1641 this property was passed to the Earl of Pembroke, and by 1769 it was in the hands of the second Duke of Buckingham whose successor in 1769 leased the area that was by then a largely ruinous low water slum to the Adam brothers.
No.3 Robert Street was built as a private house where John Adam himself resided from 1778-1785. This building can boast of other famous inhabitants: JM Barrie, best known as the author of Peter Pan, the poet Thomas Hood, Sir John Galsworthy novelist and playwright, along with other eminent artists and writers.
John Adam (1728-1792) was from a Scottish family of architects and designers. William Adam had four sons, three of whom became architects.
John was trained by his father and worked with him until his death in 1748. At this stage John assumed control of his father's practice in Scotland and took his brothers Robert and James into partnership. The Adam family are famour for many projects including Fort William and Dumfries House, as well as the Adelphi.
JM Barrie (1860-1937) is famous for many pieces of work, most probably the best known being the childrens novel Peter Pan.
It is alleged that he wrote the novel in what was his apartment at the time, the 4th floor of No.3 Robert Street. This was more than likely to have taken place in what is now Committee Room 4 which at the time was his study.
CIPFA is one of the oldest of the professional accountancy bodies, founded in 1885; it purchased Nos 2 & 3 Robert Street in 1983. The general condition of the building at this time was extremely poor having been empty for over a year, the previous owners failing to complete any maintenance of the structure or general decor.
A team of specialists were appointed by the Institute to agree the specifications that were needed in order to refurbish the building. Many of the features at No.3 Robert Street are original (fireplaces and ceilings) and a few have been recreated in the Adam style (main staircase).