Portland Place is perhaps best known for being the home of Jane Gamble in ‘The Portrait of A Lady'. It also appears in John Buchan’s book 39 Steps as the residence of Richard Hannay after his return from Rhodesia.

Actress Caroline Quentin is also a former resident of Portland Place.

Portland Place is also infamous due to Edward Davenport or ‘fast Eddie’ as he is sometimes known. He acquired a lease on 33 Portland Place; which was the Embassy of Sierra Leone, and claimed it as his private residence. The result was a legal battle that resulted in Davenport being allowed to complete his lease. He became a media sensation for throwing large parties at the residence; much to the disgruntlement of his neighbours. This again led to court action, where he was banned from using the residence for non-residential purposes.