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Pimlico is an area located in central London deriving its name from the Native American people of North Carolina “Pamlico” after the unsuccessful settlement of English colonists in the 16th century.
Garden squares and Regency architecture are Pimlico SW1 characteristics. The core residential streets were designed by Thomas Cubitt, the developer of several London’s historic streets. The Pimlico streets are now a conservation area. More than 350 grade II listed buildings can be found here.
Most notable residents include world record-holding pilot Sheila Scott, actor Laurence Olivier, the president of Kenya Jomo Kenyatta, dancer Isadora Duncan, musician Steve Hackett, and Sir Winston Churchill who lived at 33 Eccleston Square. Some of the houses where these lived are marked by blue plaques.
Dolphin Square building in Pimlico SW1 became a popular place to live among the politicians due to its location near the Palace of Westminster, Thames House, and Vauxhall Cross. The building was built in the 1930’s. It is a block of privately owned apartments.
More than 70 members of the Parliament and more than 10 members of the House of Lords lived in Dolphin Square. Some of the most notable residents of Dolphin Square include politician Michael Mates, former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Princess Royal Ann, comedian Bud Flanagan, tennis writer Bud Collins, actor Ben Lyon, tennis player Rod Laver, and Soviet Spy John Vassall. In 1962, John Vassall was arrested in his house in Dolphin Square.