Harrods

Harrods began in 1834 as Charles Henry Harrod's modest tea wholesale business in the East End and moved to Knightsbridge only in 1849. The present terracotta-clad Edwardian building was constructed between 1894 and 1905 to designs by Charles William Stephens. The store's motto Omnia Omnibus Ubique, all things for all people everywhere, was literal: Harrods historically sold lions, alligators and once an elephant to Ronald Reagan. The Egyptian Hall and the marble Food Halls with their 1908 Doulton tiling are the most spectacular interiors, mosaics depicting farmers, fishermen and hunters as suppliers. Since 2010 the store has been owned by Qatar Holding. Every evening 12,000 bulbs illuminate the facade.