Praed Street
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Praed Street (pronounced 'prayd', rhymes with 'laid') is a street in London's Paddington district (now part of the City of Westminster, most notable for the fact that Paddington Station is situated on it. It runs straight in a west-south-west direction from Edgware Road to Craven Road, Spring Street and Eastbourne Terrace and was originally laid out in the early 19th century, being built up in 1828. It was named after William Praed, Chairman of the company which built the canal basin which lies just to the north.
The northern side of the street is made up of Paddington Station and the Great Western Hotel, the Royal Mail Western depot, and St Mary's Hospital. The southern side is predominantly retail but includes the frontage for Paddington Underground (District and Circle line) station. At the far western end on the north side is a prominent extension to the Metropole Hotel built by Igal Yawetz (1986-90).
From February 19 2007, this road will mark the boundary of the extended London Congestion Charge Zone.