Berkeley Square was formed in the early part of the eighteenth century on a portion of the "noble gardens" (as Evelyn called them) of Berkeley House, which John, Lord Berkeley, the hero of Stratton fight, erected at a cost of over £30,000 on his return from his tenure of the viceroyalty of Ireland.
"It was built not only in the country, but where a rustic structure stood, called Hay Hill farm," said the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, "nevertheless it was on the north side of Piccadilly, opposite the Green Park. The estate of which it formed a part was afterwards selected for building purposes by his widow, and a square and two streets in a few years sprang up around it, much to the distaste of honest John Evelyn, who feelingly expressed his disapprobation at the overgrowth of London!"
In 1736 Cock and Hillyard, described in the deeds as "carpenters," had obtained building leases and erected houses in Bruton Street and Berkeley Street, and having been successful in their undertaking, were anxious to enlarge their operations.
Immediately afterwards, William, Lord Berkeley, agreed to grant them a lease of certain ground on the understanding that the necessary space should be left to complete the square.
However, it was not until eleven years later that Lord Berkeley's successor, John, Lord Berkeley, executed this lease, by which he granted about three acres of land, which now comprises Berkeley Square, to Edward Cock and Francis Hillyard of the parish of St. George's, Hanover Square. In this granted lease, this land is described as being "enclosed by dwarf brick walls, and wooden rails and palisades set thereon."