Nearly 30 years of building works were reduced to rubble in just a few months, an abrupt end to such a celebrated building. But George had grander ambitions in mind. He would reinvent Buckingham House as a palace that would outshine even Carlton House. And the man he chose for the job was architect John Nash. So began one of the most productive and scandalous building partnerships in London's history. George IV begged the Government for money to reinvent his childhood home. He managed to coax £150,000 out of them for what he called repairs and improvements. But pretty soon, it was clear that George had no intention of sticking to the budget. He and his architect John Nash transformed what had been a quiet royal retreat into a grand palace. Today, that palace is hidden. From the front, what you see is a later addition in white Portland stone. But come behind the facade.