Stretching across both sides of the steps, you find a set of elegant terraced houses, known as Carlton House Terrace. Originally the Royal garden for St James’s Palace, the architect whose vision defined the area, John Nash, oversaw the construction of these 'impressive, loose' residences. Nash's original plan to build several housing complexes didn't come to fruition, with only these 2 being completed. The townhouses are four stories high and designed in the classical style. Right from the start, this was a highly regarded address in central London, occupied by prominent persons, such as the four-time Prime Minister William Gladstone, the Ridley, and the Guinness family. Today, only a few remain as private residences, with the rest being occupied by businesses, institutes, and various societies, such as the British Academy and the Institute of Contemporary Art.