Buckingham Palace began life as Buckingham House in 1703, when the Duke of Buckingham commissioned a three-storey Baroque mansion on the site. What you see today is the result of three centuries of expansion and reinvention, and no single architect can claim credit for the whole building.
The biggest change came in the 1820s, when King George IV decided he wanted a palace rather than a house and brought in the architect John Nash. The grand, neoclassical building that resulted set the tone for everything that followed.
How the Palace Took Shape
The palace grew in distinct phases, each adding a layer to the building we see today.
1703
The Duke of Buckingham commissions William Winde to build Buckingham House, a three-storey Baroque mansion on the site.
1761
King George III buys the house as a comfortable family home for Queen Charlotte, and it becomes known as the Queen’s House.
1820s
George IV hires John Nash to transform the house into a palace. Nash adds the grand State Rooms and the neoclassical façades, drawing on French and Italian models, though his spiralling costs eventually cost him the job.
1847
Edward Blore adds the east range, enclosing the central quadrangle and creating the public-facing front, along with an extra floor and the principal entrance.
1913
Sir Aston Webb refaces the East Front in Portland stone, giving the palace the familiar frontage and the famous balcony we know today.
Style and Features
The palace is best described as neoclassical, the style Nash gave it in the 1820s, layered over the original Baroque house and the later additions. These are the features to look for.
- Symmetry and classical forms: balanced façades with columns, pediments, and decorative reliefs drawn from Greek and Roman architecture.
- The Portland stone East Front: the public face of the palace, refaced by Webb in 1913 and home to the balcony.
- French and Italian influence: George IV’s taste for French châteaux runs through Nash’s State Rooms.
- Lavish interiors: gilding, marble, mirrors, painted ceilings, and intricate plasterwork, designed to impress rather than for comfort.
The Palace by Numbers
The palace measures roughly 108 metres long, 120 metres deep, and 24 metres high. Behind that frontage are more than 775 rooms:
775
19
52
188
92
78
A Living Building
Buckingham Palace is not a museum piece. It is a working royal residence, a venue for State occasions, and a historic monument all at once, which makes looking after it a constant balancing act.
A major, multi-year programme of works is upgrading the palace’s ageing wiring, plumbing, and heating while protecting its historic character. London’s weather and pollution mean the stonework also needs continual repair, and growing visitor numbers add their own wear and tear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What architectural style is Buckingham Palace?
Mainly neoclassical, from John Nash’s 1820s redesign, layered over the original 1703 Baroque house and early 20th-century additions such as Webb’s East Front.
Who designed Buckingham Palace?
Several architects over time: William Winde built the original house in 1703, John Nash created the neoclassical palace in the 1820s, Edward Blore added the east range, and Sir Aston Webb designed the famous East Front in 1913.
How big is Buckingham Palace?
About 108 metres long, 120 metres deep, and 24 metres high, with over 775 rooms, including 19 State Rooms, 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 78 bathrooms.
What materials is Buckingham Palace built from?
Mainly limestone and stucco, with Portland stone on the East Front. The interiors feature marble, gilding, and elaborate plasterwork in the State Rooms.
Can you go inside Buckingham Palace?
Yes. The State Rooms open to visitors each summer, and the King’s Gallery and Royal Mews are open for much of the year. See the ticket options above.
Why does Buckingham Palace look different from other royal palaces?
Its neoclassical style reflects early 19th-century taste, when it was transformed from a house into a palace, unlike the medieval castles and Tudor palaces built in earlier periods.