Photograph details

© Transport for London
Collection of London Transport Museum
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View of an eight-storey block of 'millionaire' flats built on the corner site of Oxford Street and Park Lane. This view from across the street shows the white stone building in a three-quarter front view; the corner of the building is curved following the course of the road (Marble Arch Restaurant occupies corner site).The style of the facade is modern, eschewing a surplus of surface decoration. Pedestrians and automobiles are visible in front of building. A B-type bus stands in the background, extreme left.

Photographed by Topical Press, 12 Jul 1923

Location: Oxford Street, Westminster, W1

Image no: U1939

Inventory no: 1999/20180

20th Century London caption: This eight-storey block of 'millionaire' flats was built on a prime location on the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane. This type of living is epitomised in the books by P.G. Wodehouse about Bertie Wooster and his manservant Jeeves. These apartments were fitted with the latest modern conveniences powered by electricity. These included hot water, washing machines and irons. Such appliances meant that households required fewer servants than were necessary before the First World War to maintain a similar standard of living. The number of women who were prepared to enter domestic service was also decreasing as other job opportunities opened up to them. This view from across the street shows the white stone building above the Marble Arch Restaurant, which advertises its American-style soda fountain on a sign outside. The Odeon at Marble Arch now stands on the site.

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