This magnificent Regency style house sits in a total area of 6800 square metres. The Residence site was bought by the British Government in 1923, and the building completed in 1928.

The original site was somewhat smaller than the present one. Part of the land that is now the garden was bought by the Residence's most famous occupant, Sir Eugen Millington Drake.  Sir Eugen was in charge of what was then the British Legation in the run-up to and during the Second World War.  He donated it to the British Government when he left Uruguay in 1946.  It was later incorporated into the garden.  

Most of the furniture is English, and dates from the Regency period (1810-20). It was mostly bought at auction in London in 1927, shortly before the building was completed.  Almost all the pictures belong to the Government Art Collection.

Use of the Residence

The British Residence performs two functions.  

• It is used by the British Embassy for representative purposes, and to accommodate official visitors from London.  
• It is home to the Ambassador and his family. 

Heritage Day (Día del Patrimonio)

The Residence has been opened to the public for Heritage Day since 2006.  Members of the British community kindly guide visitors through the public areas of the house and the garden.  They explain the history of the building and the works of art.  The emphasis in 2009 was on the "Greening project", led by the "Greening the FCO" local team.   This included the installation of solar panels in the roof, the building of a greenhouse and the elaboration of compost.

See the photos of Día del Patrimonio 2009.