The grandest of all these erections, that at Hyde Park corner, adjoining the Duke of Wellington’s mansion, cost 17,069l.
The first lodge and entrance gates put up by a private building contractor was the Albert Gate, erected by the late Thomas Cubitt; the lodge is sunk, its flat roof being on a level only eight feet above the ground, and containing two small rooms, with a little yard and scullery. The iron railing forming the carriage gates and entrances to the foot-paths is of the same height as the lodge, and extends about 60 feet; the stone piers have on them the old stags which formerly decorated the stone piers at the entrance of the Ranger’s Lodge in Piccadilly. This gate gave an entrance by Hyde Park to Belgravia, and very much raised the value of that district.
The next lodge and gate were put up by Mr. Kelk, opposite the fine mansions at Prince’s Gate. This is known as the Prince of Wales’s Gate.
There are two lodges in size and plan exactly similar to the lodge at the Queen’s Gate. The gates and railings are very plain; they are 12 feet in height, and extend to a length of 77 feet.
The Queen’s Gate lodge and gates are certainly the chief of all the erections put up by building contractors; their cost was 2800l., as previously mentioned. Both in ornamentation and character they vie with the best erections put up by the Government. The length of the iron-work between the stone pedestals is 140 feet; the height of the common rails, 11 feet above ground; the height of the standard and lamp, 18 feet; there are two carriage gates, each of 15 feet opening, and two entrances for foot-passengers, each of 10 feet opening. The stone pedestals at each end are 6 feet in width by 15 feet in height. The iron-work is designed to represent a group of spears; the author wished to surmount the pedestals with groups of military arms similar to those of the trophies of
Design No. 13. Elevation of centre of iron-work, Queen’s Gate.
Marius on the balustrading in front of the Senatorial Palace, Rome. These could have been constructed in
