 By the 18th century , Covent Garden had become a well @-@ known red @-@ light district , attracting notable prostitutes such as Betty Careless and Jane Douglas . Descriptions of the prostitutes and where to find them were provided by Harris 's List of Covent Garden Ladies , the " essential guide and accessory for any serious gentleman of pleasure " . In 1830 a market hall was built to provide a more permanent trading centre . In 1913 , Herbrand Russell , 11th Duke of Bedford agreed to sell the Covent Garden Estate for £ 2 million to the MP and land speculator Harry Mallaby @-@ Deeley , who sold his option in 1918 to the Beecham family for £ 250 @,@ 000 . 
