sentences:  Carte bought the freehold of the site, then known as "Beaufort Buildings", early in 1880 for £11,000, but had begun planning his theatre several years before.In 1877 he engaged Walter Emden, an architect whose work includes the Garrick and the Duke of York's theatres.Before completing the site purchase, city officials had assured Carte that they would open a new street on the south side of the plot, provided he paid half the cost.