View of 8-9 Sterling Street, Knightsbridge, looking south from the corner with Montpelier Square. Originally named Harriet Street then Alfred Street, Sterling Street was renamed in 1890 after local resident Alfred Sterling, a noted journalist for The Times. Number 8 was begun in 1825-6 by William Darby and is the oldest house on Sterling Street and Grade II listed, entry 1236703. Having raised a loan from John Collins, a Fetter Lane butcher, William Darby committed himself to finishing the building and paying an annuity out of the anticipated rack-rent, but before the work was completed Darby was bankrupt. The house was then assigned to Edward Aldred of Fulham, a timber merchant, and sold to its first occupier, Hannah Rayner Woodward, a widow in 1829. Number 9 (along with 10) was built for T. W. M. Marriott in 1852–3. A number of cars are parked in the street including a Jaguar, Vauxhall Viva and a Peugeot.