Place Name
Peter Gaspard Gresse (1715 – 1771), described as a Gentleman of Saint Pancras, is thought to have been born in Rolle, on the Lake of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1752, John Hassell, a brewer who owned land here, sold his estate in lots, which included a half-finished road that would become Gresse Street; Black Horse Yard, which included extensive stabling; and Hassell’s own home, with a large garden that occupied two acres, or half the estate which was bought by Gresse. By 1767, Gresse completed the northern part of Gresse Street and also built Stephen Street, named after his neighbour who had collaborated with him on the development. Gresse was the father of John Alexander Gresse, painter and drawing master to the children of George III, who, rather unkindly, called him Jack Grease on account of his bulky frame. the street was extensively redeveloped in the 1930s.