The architect Sir Christopher Wren was given a 50 - year lease on the property by Queen Anne in lieu of overdue payments for his work on St Paul 's Cathedral .
Sir Christopher Wren lived there from 1708 to 1723 .
The architect Sir Christopher Wren , who lived there from 1708 to 1723 , was given a 50 - year lease on the property by Queen Anne in lieu of overdue payments for his work on St Paul 's Cathedral .