Designs for the First 'Belvedere' Scheme were produced as early as February 1738 (n.s. 1739) - at least, that is the date inscribed on one drawing at The National Archives (TNA, WORK 29/3358 (29)). The new designs for the Parliament House featured a 160-foot tower on an octagonal drum in place of the dome of the previous designs. The entire structure was to be located further northwards, enabling the retention of the old Houses of Commons and Lords, the Painted Chamber and the Court of Requests. It also encroached into the river. Common to the First 'Belvedere' designs is an open arcade (where previously there had been a curved colonnade) facing Old Palace Yard, behind which is a very large (187 by 40 feet) room labelled as a new Court of Requests. A passage links the north west corner of the new building to the south of the medieval Westminster Hall.

(Salmon, pp. 343-50)