 Cecil House , also called Exeter House or <unk> House , built in the 16th century by Lord <unk> as an expansion of an existing Tudor house . Exeter House was demolished in 1676 and Exeter Exchange built on the site . A menagerie was built on the upper floors in 1773 , which was later run by Edward Cross , who housed lions , tigers , monkeys and <unk> . In 1826 , an elephant , <unk> , nearly broke free from its cage and had to be destroyed ; the skeleton was later put on display . The exchange was demolished in 1829 , with the menagerie moving to the Surrey Zoological Gardens , and replaced by Exeter Hall , noted for its <unk> meetings . This was demolished in 1907 , and the site is now occupied by the Strand Palace Hotel . 
