The house was originally built for Carlos Maria Madero and his family between 1914 and 1917. They used the British Architects Bassett, Smith and Colcatt who designed a classic English style urban residence with an interior inspired by the English Eighteenth Century Adam style. The Maderos resided in the house until 1945. It was sold to the then British Labour Government as the British Residence in 1947 and later linked to the neighbouring property (owned by the English family Hale) to provide a sizeable garden. It was designated a National Historic Monument in 2001.

 

 

The Residence underwent a major refurbishment in 2002/03, which modernised its services and introduced facilities for its use as a conference centre for up to 250 people. Much of the original fine detail of the building was revived, including the wood carving in the dining room and the upper staircases. The Ambassador's private apartment and guest rooms were also modernised and extended. The house contains a fine collection of pictures, old and modern, from the British Government Art Collection.