Night view of South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, City of Westminster. Trafalgar Square was planned as part of the redevelopment of the West Strand Improvements by John Nash following the passing of the Charing Cross Act of 1826. Although it was to be another 30 years before the square was completed, it occupies the area of the former Great Mews of the Crown Stables. Charles Barry was the architect, although he opposed the decision to erect Nelson's Column on the site - he was overruled. The whole square is Grade I listed, number 1001362. On the eastern side of the square is South Africa House. Built on the site of Morley's Hotel, between 1931-1933 by Sir Herbert Baker and Alexander Thomson Scott, it has a steel frame, infilled with reinforced concrete panels and faced with Portland Stone, set on a granite base. In Classical style, with arts and crafts-inspired carved details of indigenous beasts and symbols of South Africa by Joseph Armitage to the designs of Sir Charles Wheeler. Seven storeys high including two attic storeys above with cornice and balustrade. The main elevation facing Trafalgar Square is thirteen windows wide. Costing £300,000, it was opened by King George V on 22nd June 1933 and is Grade II* listed, number 1066238. It is decked with garlands and illuminated, with reflections in the water of one of the Trafalgar Square fountains. At the northeast corner of the square is a statue of George IV on horseback by Sir Francis Chantrey and T. Earle. A bronze statue cast in 1829 for the Marble Arch in its original setting as the entrance to Buckingham Palace and moved to this site in 1843. It is Grade II* listed, number 1275350.
