The Iconic Building and Its Legendary Location
Located at the intersection of Chinatown and Leicester Square, Leicester House has witnessed many historical events and hosted popular landmarks during its 300-year history. Named after Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, Leicester House used to stand to the north of what is now Leicester Square.
Completed in 1635, Leicester House gave its name to Leicester Fields, an area known forn its wealthy residential properties. The demolition of Leicester House in the late 1700s led to the renaming of the area as Leicester Square.
Karl Marx
In the aftermath of the failed European revolutions of 1848, thousands of political exiles sought refuge in Britain.During this period, the building become known as the German Hotel and served as a home for many political exiles from Poland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Italy and France.
It was during this time that Karl Marx, a future leader of the socialist movement, philosopher and journalist from Western Germany, arrived in London with his family in August 1849. The family initially stayed in Leicester House as it was a popular destination for Germans in London. It was here that Marx started writing his influential work, “Das Kapital”.
Marx and his family resided in the hotel for three months in 1850,but had to leave when they were unable to afford the £5 weekly rent.
Johann Strauss
Johann Strauss I, the patriarch of the Waltz dynasty in classical music and composer of the 'Radetzky March', stayed in Leicester House during his first visit to England in April 1838. During his time in the United Kingdom, Johann Strauss gave 72 concertsand performed at festivities held in honour of Queen Victoria's coronation. His orchestra notably played at Buckingham Palace.
1 Leicester Street, London WC2H 7BL , United Kingdom