Langham HotelIn 1918 Latvian diplomat Mr Zigfrīds Anna Meirovics (later on the First Foreign Affairs Minister of Latvia from 1918-1924) travelled to the United Kingdom to gain support for Latvia’s independence. On 12 August when he came to London, Mr Meierovics stayed at the Langham hotel (1st diplomatic residence of Latvia) where he commenced his work and settled in for a longer visit. |  Langham Hotel |
115 Park Road, Regent’s ParkMr Meierovics searched for appropriate premises for Latvia’s diplomatic representation office in London and found them at 115 Park Road, Regent’s Park (building non-existing anymore). The building owner received a positive reference letter from British Foreign Office about the unknown diplomat. Rent for the unfurnished place was £115 per year and Mr Meierovics managed to set up his own residence while he was staying in London. |  115 Park Road, Regent's Park Photo: ©http://primrosehillhistory.org/ |
24 Gledhow Gardens, South Kensington, London SW5
In 1922 during the first Latvian Ambassador Mr Georgs Bisenieks’ posting in London (1919-1924), the premises of the embassy were rented and located at 24 Gledhow Gardens, South Kensington, London SW5. A couple of years later, the consular department joined the embassy, both departments employed 11 people. |  24 Gledhow Gardens, South Kensington |
87 Eaton Place, London SW1In 1925 while the Ambassador Mr Frīdrihs Veismanis (1925-1932) was posted, 87 Eaton Place, London SW1 was looked as one of the venues for the possible embassy. As a matter of fact, Edward VII lived there while he was the Prince of Wales; that is why his coat of arms was presented at the building. The house consisted of 5 living rooms, 14 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms and had such utilities as central heating, constant hot water and inlaid floor. The tenancy agreement was for 50 years, land rent was £75 per year and the cost of the building was £5750. Mr F. Vesmanis bargained the price and paid £5500 for the house. After Second World War, Soviet Union demanded a return of the building for their own purposes but it never happened and the embassy remained active during the Soviet Occupation in Latvia. Mr Kārlis Reinholds Zariņš (1933-1963) who was Envoy and Consul General served in these premises for 30 years. Shortly before the Soviet occupation of Latvia, on 17 May 1940 the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers granted Envoy Zariņš extraordinary powers. He was delegated to supervise the work of Latvia's representations abroad in time of war or other extraordinary circumstance. He served this role starting from the Soviet occupation in 1940 until his death in 1963. |  87 Eaton Place Photo: ©E.Hincenbergs  Eaton Place street sign Photo: ©E.Hincenbergs |
6 Holland Park Road, Kensington
Mr Teodots Visvaldis Ozolins was a diplomatic representative of Latvia (1963-1981). During his mission he managed to cooperate closely with numerous Latvian organisations, participated in events and was an honorary member of Latvian National Council in Great Britain and Latvian Welfare Fund (Daugavas Vanagi). The mission was located at 6 Holland Park Road, Kensington. |  6 Holland Park Road  Holland Park Road street sign |
72 Queensborough Terrace
In 1986 (Ambassador P. Reinhards 1981-1990) Latvian representation was situated at the premises of the Latvian Welfare Fund (LWF) and Headquarters of Latvian organisations of diaspora- 72 Queensborough Terrace. Over the decades, the LWF members perpetuated their mission to gather and maintain idea of independent Latvian State. LWF has also striven to foster the education and involvement of young Latvians in the expatriate Latvian community providing loans to students and facilitating the work of Latvian schools, choirs, folk dance groups, theatre troupes, sports teams, and various other cultural activities. These organisations are still active today. |  72 Queensborough Terrace  Queensborough Terrace street sign |
45 Nottingham Place
After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, a question where to base Latvia’s representation became extremely urgent. Ambassador Mr Jānis Lūsis (1992-1996) put a lot of effort to purchase the building at 45 Nottingham Place. Once being an office building, it was purchased at low cost, Ambassador Lūsis even bargained the cost- £350 000. In October 1994 Latvia’s Representation moved from Latvian Welfare Fund’s building to the new premises, which are officially owned by Latvian State today and the Ambassador for the United Kingdom is Mr Andris Teikmanis (from 2013). |  45 Nottingham Place |
248A Marylebone RoadDue to the big demand of consular services and inability to assist all customers needs, in 2014 the consular department was moved to new and accessible premises at 248a Marylebone Road, NW1 6JZ. According to the latest statistical data, there are around 100 000 Latvian nationals living in the United Kingdom. |  248A Marylebone Road Photo: ©Ildze Jansone |
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