Another Rogue Architect: This time in London (and he is Prince Charles' favorite, too)

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Quinlan Terry, architect

New York City may have its Scaranos, but rogue architects can be found everywhere, I guess.I guess, being Prince Charles' favorite architect does not give one the right to just demolish two historically significant houses. But architect Quinlan Terry must have thought so. However, he now has to pay the price, as he just has been charged a hefty sum for destroying two beautiful buildings in Regent's Park, London

Charles's favourite architect fined for knocking down Nash gate houses

From The Evening Star
Prince Charles's favourite architect has been fined £25,000 for illegally demolishing two listed buildings in Regent's Park. Quinlan Terry, 70, pleaded guilty to three breaches of planning laws after being taken to court by Westminster council. The fine is one of the biggest ever imposed for damage to protected historic properties. But Mr Terry, whose work includes refurbishing the state rooms at 10 Downing Street, insisted it was unfair. The Regency gate houses, built in 1827, were destroyed last December during modernisation of Hanover Lodge, one of London's grandest homes designed by John Nash. Both were Grade II-listed. Contractors working for Mr Terry reduced the lodges to piles of rubble with only their back walls left standing after they tried to demolish adjacent modern buildings-The firm, Walter Lilly & Co, was fined £20,000 by Westminster magistrates at the same hearing. Council cabinet member Robert Davis said: "Westminster has a rich architectural heritage and it is the council's duty to protect this. "For one of the country's pre-eminent architects to fall foul of the law is disappointing but I hope the size of the fine will send a clear signal to anybody who thinks they can damage or destroy listed buildings, whoever they are." To continue reading the article, click here.