what was the building that is now harrods department store in london originally built to house?

Question

was the building built to be harrods,a hospital,hotel or appartment

Answer 1

According to Harrod's website, the previous Harrods shop burnt down around 1880. So the *present* building that exists today was constructed by Harrods (on a grand scale) in the 1880's to replace the one that burnt down.

So to answer your question, it was originally built to house Harrods department store. I am happy to believe this story, because the current building looks quite 'Art Nouveau', which would date it to the late C19th.

Answer 2

From the mid 1950's thru the 1960' and into the 1970's, Harrods had such a department employing more than 50 staff including vets and zookeepers. You could by a variety of wild zoo animals form zoo's in the UK and Europe, most of the pets for sale were of linage that dated many generations born in captivity. They even sold an elephant and big cats were both popular and legal on the streets of London until 1976 when passage of the Endangered Species Act, effectively ended the practice. However, the King's Road area was home to several exotic pet shops in the 1960's as well, and it was perfectly normal and accepted practice to see a stylish young London woman accessorize her go go boots, mink coat, and bouffant hair with a lion cub on a leash.

Answer 3

These links should answer your question on the history of the Harrods Department store (particularly No.3).