The plain Georgian exterior of 50 Berkeley Square belies an interior that still retains much of its 18th century grandeur. Sweeping stairs, high plaster ceilings, over-mantle mirrors, and marble floors and fireplaces, lend the building a decidedly Dickensian air. Sinister happenings were once an everyday occurrence within these walls, so much so that for much of the 19th century 50 Berkeley Square was known as the most haunted house in London. As a result of its dreadful reputation, no tenant could be found who was willing to take on the lease of “the house” in Berkeley Square, and for many years it remained empty. But its otherworldly inhabitants continued to be active. Strange lights that flashed in the windows would startle passers-by; disembodied screams were heard echoing from the depths of the building; and spookier still, the sound of a heavy body was heard being dragged down the staircase. One story tells of two sailors who chanced upon the empty house one night. It is said that they were woken by the sound of heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, and suddenly the door banged open and a hideous, shapeless, oozing mass began to fill the room. One sailor managed to escape however his friend’s corpse was found impaled on the railings outside with a twisted face and bulging eyes. Many other occupants have allegedly gone mad or died suddenly. Others have told other tales of this 'shapeless, slithering, horrible mass', which has left them terrified and repulsed.