View of 440-448 Strand, City of Westminster (north side), looking east. A major thoroughfare, the Strand runs east to west from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar. Named from the Old English ‘strond’, meaning the edge of a river, as before modern embankments and land reclamation it ran alongside the north bank of the River Thames. Part of a triangular island block of shops and offices between the Strand, Adelaide Street and William IV Street (formerly King William Street). Built in 1830-32 as part of the West Strand Improvements planned by architect John Nash and executed by William Herbert. In the distance, number 447-448 is occupied by Barclays Bank with circular corner pavilions, known as "pepper pots", three storeys and an attic with a balustrade. In the nineteenth century this was the office of The West Strand Telegraph Company, the 'Central Station' of the Electric Telegraph Company, which was established in 1846 to connect major cities and towns by electric telegraph. Other buildings in the block are occupied by 'Adelphi Jewellers, Pawnbrokers', 'Franck Coiffeur de Dames', 'Pronto, Cafeteria' and the 'Conduit Employment Bureau’. In the centre of the block at 440 is Coutts Bank. A four-storey building with three arched windows with pilasters either side of the main entrance with pillars supporting the portico. A balustraded balcony on the first floor and parapet. Corinthian columns between the windows on the first and second floors. Three flagpoles overhang the entrance. Founded in 1692 by John Campbell of Lundie, a goldsmith-banker, at the sign of The Three Crowns in Strand. He offered a comprehensive banking service, and many of his customers were fellow Scots, including his clan chief, the Duke of Argyll. In 1755, John Campbell's granddaughter Mary married a merchant and banker, James Coutts, and the bank became known as Campbell & Coutts. Royal patronage began with Queen Anne in the eighteenth century, and continues today, although the bank is now part of the NatWest group. The block, including 434-437, 430, 440 and 449 Strand are Grade II* listed, entry 1237040. There are many pedestrians in the street, and a long queue at the bus stop.
