Halpine House is a large mansion on a corner of Albemarle Street, and the primary residence of Lady Gallorett.

Residents

Since Halpine House is the primary residence of Lady Gallorett this is where almost all household staff can be found. The exceptions to this are the staff of 18 Maiden Lane, and the permanent staff of Bridewater Manor.

All those residing in Halpine House:

• Lady Gallorett, the owner of the mansion

Building Layout

Halpine House has the front door on Albemarle street. The house's front garden serves as a small buffer between the hustle and bustle of the street and the house itself. Following the garden around the corner, one can find the stables and the servants' entrance.

Principal floor

The front door on Albemarle Street opens into the spacious entrance hall. The entrance hall features marble flooring and decorative columns. Directly to the left of the entrance hall is an ante-room where company can be received for a quick chat. The ante-room features a uniquely curved back wall, decorated with two statues in the classical style.

Walking straight through the entrance hall leads to the grand staircase. From here, both the first drawing room and the library are readily accesible. The second drawing room is also accesible by walking underneath the grand staircase.

The first drawing room is well-appointed and is the traditional place of gathering before going through to dinner. The inset in the long wall is used to showcase several musical instruments, among which are a piano and a harp. There are no windows in either the drawing room or the library.

The Library is about as large as the first drawing room, and on the opposite side of the grand staircase. A special table in the middle of the library houses a 4 foot diameter freely rotatable globe of the world, and the walls are lined with high bookcases. A reading area near the windows is set apart with luxurious leather chairs, and the other side of the library features a large table for study.

Original Plans

Halpine House was originally intended to be a much grander house, with a hidden court garden at the back, so the first, second and third drawing rooms would offer a view of a natural setting.

The house was to feature a large gallery on the principal floor, as well as a bedroom and dressing room for the master of the house. Unfortunately, before the house was fully finished, the funds ran dry.

To keep most of the house the area of the planned garden was sold and another building has been erected there. While the structurall components of windows are present in the first and second drawing rooms and the library, there are no windows there.

As most of the foundational work has already been done, it should be possible to have the construction of the full building plans completed eventually. Of course, this will require that the building currently occupying the garden is torn down, as well as buying the building next to Halpine House such that the gallery can be finished.