The Albany is an apartment complex in Piccadilly, established in 1802.
The Albany was built in the years after 1771 by Sir William Chambers for the 1st Viscount Melbourne as Melbourne House. In 1791, Prince Frederick, Duke of Albany, took up residence. The Duke had lived there for only ten years when his debts and extravagance caught up with him and forced him to sell. In 1802 the Duke gave up the house and it was converted by Henry Holland into 69 "sets" - bachelor apartments.
The sets are individually owned as flying freeholds. The owners are known as Proprietors. The Albany is governed by a Board of Trustees on behalf of the Proprietors. Prospective tenants are vetted before being allowed to take up residence.
Around half the sets were owned by Peterhouse college, Cambridge. These were acquired by William Stone, a lifelong resident of the Albany, during the Second World War. He bequeathed 37 sets to the college.
From the time of its foundation, the Albany was a prestigious address. Residents have included the politician W.E. Gladstone, the poet Lord Byron and many members of the aristocracy.
Residents no longer have to be male or bachelors but children under the age of 14 are not permitted to live there.
