James Gray: Almost certainly 1867 (see Lifeboat House being built). jgc_01_039
2018: At the very centre of each image is the Norfolk (Mercure) Hotel. The Lifeboat House has been replaced by the Al Fresco Restaurant. The very low house just beyond (to the west) of the Norfolk Hotel in the James Gray image has been replaced by Embassy Court which just appears over the top of Al Fresco. The square five-storey building with first-floor balconies to the east of the Norfolk Hotel still exists. The small house on the extreme right (east) of the James Gray image has since been replaced by the dark tower that is now Cavendish House. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Looking west along the beach from the West Pier, in 1868. The clue to the year is provided by the building under construction (far left). This was the new boat house of the Brighton branch of the Royal National Life Boat Institution, built in 1868. jgc_01_040
James Gray: 1868. jgc_01_041
James Gray: [Bottom left image.] Looking west from the Promenade along King’s Road, from opposite Regency Square. Note the imposing portico of St. Albans House. No evidence to suggest that the period is other than 1868-72. jgc_01_035
James Gray: This photograph needs little comment, as with two exceptions the buildings seen are still there and hardly changed. The interest therefore is in trying to date it, and here there are few clues to help. The Lifeboat House (1867-1892) on the beach is there. The bandstand (1884) is not seen, but owing to the angle may have been off the photo to the left. Probably, the 1870s or 1880s – unsatisfactory, but there it is! jgc_01_048
James Gray: [Abinger House, 142 King’s Road] This was one of the largest single houses on Brighton front and occupied a commanding position between the Salisbury and King’s Hotels. It was built in 1851 for Lady Abinger, from whom it took its name and later was the home of Sir Gerald Loder, M.P. for Brighton. It stood empty for some years, both before and after being requisitioned by the Army during the 1939-1945 War. It was demolished in 1948, since when the site has been empty. These photographs were taken in January 1946. jgc_01_051
James Gray: After the removal of the original building in 1948, the site remained empty until 1956 when Edlin’s built and opened this building, seen from within the derelict band-stand. However this had a very short life of only thirty years, being demolished in 1986 to be replaced by yet more flats. jgc_01_052
2020: The James Gray image shows the Abinger Hotel, built in 1956 by Edlin’s Brewery, framed between the rusting pillars of the bandstand opposite Bedford Square. In 2020 the six-storey Kingsley Court flats built in 1986-7 can be seen from between the painted pillars of the fully restored bandstand. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: King’s Road and Enclosures. jgc_01_059
James Gray: King’s Road and the Lower Promenade. No comment. jgc_01_060
2019: The Bedford Hotel has been replaced by a 14-storey tower block. The lawns in the centre of the image have been replaced by a children’s playground and paved promenading area while the remains of the West Pier were already obscured in the 1950s when the Western Bathing Pavilion was built. An additional storey was later built on the Bathing Pavilion and the property is now the Beach Club Restaurant. The column of the i360 ‘vertical pier’ rises from the remains of the landward end of the West Pier. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: In the King’s Road of today, one would search in vain for any building looking like this. It was in fact, three separate houses, known as 1, 2 and 3 Oriental Terrace, designed by Amon Henry Wilds, and built about 1827-29. This photograph, printed recently from an old waxed paper negative, must have been taken about 1860. By the mid-1860s all three houses were occupied as lodging houses by T H King, whose name was taken by the later King’s Hotel. At this time the entire front façade was altered.
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_081
James Gray: Note the subtle differences between these two photographs [see also jgc_01_166 on the King’s Road (2A) page] and those on the previous page [jgc_01_164 on the Kings Road (2A) page]. The buildings adjoining the Metropole to the east have gone and are replaced by an extension to the Hotel. Also the tall building to the west (at the corner of Queensbury Mews) has been completely refaced and has a shop on the ground floor. The period here could be as late as 1900. jgc_01_167
James Gray: The emphasis of this photograph is on the one-time very popular bathing machines. Professor Cowell’s Ladies Bathing Station can be seen, immediately to the west of the West Pier, at about the turn of the century. No men can be seen, just a few small boys represent the male sex! Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_01_140
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_093
2020: Gray’s image shows the corner of King’s Road and Cavendish Place, formerly the home of the Union Club. In this modern image, Burleigh Hall, now Burleigh Court, and the fine south-facing façade of the building on Sillwood Street at the head of Cavendish Place, are still easily identifiable. They are now overshadowed to the left (west) by Cavendish House and to the right (east) by Bedford Towers and the Holiday Inn. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: At the rear, approached by a narrow lane from Sillwood Street, were these other buildings. The cobble-fronted one may well have been the stables at one time but it had an upper floor used by the Brighton Arts Club. These outbuildings went at the same time as the house. Photographed May 10 1959. jgc_01_094
2020: This view of what was the rear of the Union Club – now replaced by the tall, grey block of Cavendish House flats – can still be seen from the same narrow lane mentioned by James Gray.The ancient walls in the 1959 picture have survived. A block of garages has replaced the old cobble-fronted stables. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: This large house which at first had a central doorway was built in 1846 or 1847. For a few years it was a private mansion, sometimes let furnished, but by 1865 it was occupied as the Union Club, and it remained as such for 94 years! In 1959 the club left the house and it was demolished a year or two later. In 1964 the site is still empty though probably flats will later be built here. Photographed May 10 1959. jgc_01_095
2020: As forecast, the site was eventually redeveloped as a tall block of flats known as Cavendish House. The building to the left (west) in this image is the King’s Hotel, thankfully preserved, and to the right (east) is the impressive south-facing façade of Burleigh Hall, now named Burleigh Court. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Demolition of the New Club in progress. This was built in 1876 on the site of two small lodging houses, 133 and 134 King’s Road. Astra House, a lofty block of flats now stands here. jgc_01_109
2018: Hockley’s Hotel is now the West Beach Hotel. The iron railings and scalloped wall have been replaced by a modern sun lounge. Nos 133 and 134 (the New Club) have been demolished to make way for Astra House.
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_109 above.] jgc_01_110
2018: On the corner of Preston Street and King’s Road, Astra House, a 10-storey block of flats, replaced a Victorian building – the New Club – in 1938. The New Club was built in 1876 as a private members’ club for ‘gentleman and ladies of an approved social position’. Today, the name lives on as a restaurant on the ground floor of Astra House. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: This fine clear photograph shows, in detail, the dirty roadway, the narrow north pavement and the wider promenade. It was almost certainly taken in 1880, or within the next two years. The Grand Hotel was there then but cannot be seen, as it lays back behind the King’s Road frontage. jgc_01_111
2018: The original image has proved impossible to replicate as it was probably taken from the first floor balcony of 131 King’s Road looking east. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Regency Square, probably about 1870–73. jgc_01_112
2018: The south-east corner of Regency Square was originally private houses numbered 67, 68 and 69 Regency Square although the block has also been 129 and 130 King’s Road. Matters were simplified in the late 19th century when the whole block became Abbotts Hotel. A modern block of flats was built on the site in the early 1960s. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Looking west along King’s Road from approximately the site of the present Metropole Hotel. Some of the houses on the right must have been removed when the Hotel was built. jgc_01_113
James Gray: Four photographs of the central area of the seafront ranging in period from 1912 to 1930. jgc_02_168
2018: The glass canopy of the Metropole Hotel entrance obscures the view of St Alban’s House on the south-west corner of Regency Square. The pod of the i360 is on its way down and will come to rest on the apron of the former West Pier, between the two toll booths. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: An unusual photograph of King’s Road, including as it does, a solid–tyred open–top bus and a pack of hounds. It looks as if the hounds had just been released from the van in front of the bus, and were en route to the Preston Park Horse and Dog show, in May 1930. Note the advertisement at the rear of the bus for the Brighton and Hove Ice Rink, opened in December 1929, in Denmark Villas, Hove. jgc_01_117
James Gray: A somewhat indistinct photograph of the quiet scene in both the road and the south pavement. Year unknown, but most likely the early 1870s because the kerbside railings are without the crossed supporting struts, which came later in this decade. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_02_170
James Gray: The festive scene on the King’s Road, opposite King’s Hotel, during the procession of decorated cars and floats in the Brighton Carnival of June 1923. This photograph should not have been in this album, but got included here by mistake. Additional Information: Smither’s Brewers, Brighton. jgc_06_067
2018: The carriageway seems to have been considerably widened as the contemporary photograph was taken from the central refuge. The two toll booths of the vanished West Pier still exist, in replica. The elegant twin pendant lamp standard still exists. The i360 tourist attraction replaces the landward end of the West Pier. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: September 25, 1896. jgc_01_122
2018: On the extreme left (north) of the James Gray image, the 19th century houses have been replaced by an early 1960s block of flats. The Metropole Hotel has been shorn of its dreaming spires. The Grand Hotel is unseen, set back on the left, but the building demolished to make way for the Brighton Centre and the Kingswest developments are visible.
James Gray: This most interesting photograph was almost certainly taken in 1863 or 1864. It shows the Grand Hotel, opened in 1864, but not the West Pier, which was built in 1865–66. The photographer was standing about 100 yards west of Regency Square, the entrance to which can just be seen at the extreme left. Note, once again, that there were no railings at the sea side of the promenade. Additional Information: Copy of stereoscopic photograph following. jgc_01_138
James Gray: The original of the previous copy. jgc_01_139
James Gray: No comment. jgc_02_202
2018: The tall building to the left of the image is the newly built Grand Hotel (1864). The image cannot be replicated as the photographer, as is often the case with 19th century photographs, was standing on a stepladder or some other high, temporary vantage point. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: This photograph provokes little comment. The original from which it was copied was faded, indistinct and blotchy. It obviously dates from the 1870s or 1880s. jgc_01_144
James Gray: Looking east along the beach towards the Chain Pier, with a good view of the buildings fronting the recently widened King’s Road. It is not possible to date this photograph with any certainty. It could be at any time between 1870 and 1873, but I should think earlier rather than later. jgc_01_155
James Gray: These three photographs [jgc_01_146, 147 and 148] are of the same period – 1870 to 1875. jgc_01_146
2018: The nineteenth century houses on the left (west) of the James Gray image {jgc_01_146] were demolished in the late 1880s to make way for the Metropole Hotel. Further to the east, The Grand Hotel has also increased in size following the demolition of three houses on the corner of Cannon Place and King’s Road. The Metropole Hotel has been shorn of its dreaming spires. In the middle of the picture, the Brighton Centre and Kingswest developments now stand beside The Grand Hotel. In the far distance, the view closes with the Harbour Hotel on the corner of West Street – once famous for housing Wheeler’s Fish Restaurant. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: The Esplanade, probably from 1897 as repairs to the West Pier are in progress. jgc_01_015
James Gray: This photograph by Mr A H Fry probably dates from 1900. jgc_01_021
James Gray: One of the many photographs of the Western Enclosures. This must have been one of the most photographed spots on the Brighton front judging by the number I have in my collection, each slightly different from the others. As the Metropole Hotel was not built and there are no electric lamp standards the period must be between 1884 and 1890. Additional Information: Shows Bedford Hotel. jgc_01_173
James Gray: View of King’s Road, from opposite the West Pier, in 1913. Note the concert party enclosure on the beach near Cannon Place. This was in use in each year until 1929. jgc_01_180
2018: The 1864 toll booth to the West Pier [see also jgc_01_111] is now part of the i360 complex and used as a café. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Three photographs [see also jgc_01_192 on the Brighton West Seafront: Images on the beach (2) page and jgc_01_193 on the Brighton West Seafront: Images on the beach (1) page] of the beaches, just to the east of the West Pier. Period, the late 1890s. Nothing to call for special comment. jgc_01_191
James Gray: A rather rare photograph showing the Promenade without the sea-side railings. Though those at the kerbside are clearly visible. The original photograph from which this was copied, was probably taken in the late 1860s, certainly after the opening of the Grand Hotel in 1864. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_02_130
2018: The Metropole Hotel has been shorn of its dreaming spires. In the middle of the picture, the Brighton Centre and Kingswest developments now stand beside The Grand Hotel. In the far distance, the view closes with the Harbour Hotel on the corner of West Street – once famous for housing Wheeler’s Fish Restaurant. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Photographs taken at different times during the past 50 years and showing a King’s Road very little altered from today. Opposite the West Pier, in 1926. It looks as if the Royal Sussex monument was having a spring–clean. In the following year, 1927, the design of the tall lamp standards, which had remained unchanged since 1893, was altered to the present design of two globes instead of one. jgc_01_212
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_124
James Gray: This consisted of two buildings 129 and 130 Kings Road. They were built between 1845 and 1855 and for many years were used as lodging and guest houses. They were connected to form the hotel in 1928 where [sic] the ground floor was reconstructed. This photograph was taken on March 5, 1961. jgc_01_125
James Gray: Probably 1867. jgc_01_038
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_125 above.] This photograph was taken during demolition during the summer months of 1961. jgc_01_126
James Gray: View in the opposite direction [to previous photograph jgc_01_127] showing the recently erected promenade railings near Cannon Place. Probably about 1870 or a year or so later. Note the broad slope down to the beach opposite West Street, on the site of the present Shelter Hall and Rotunda. jgc_01_128
James Gray: Similar to previous [and following] photographs but note the remarkable clarity of detail. At the corner of Cannon Place was a large house known as Cannon Mansion, and this name can be seen on the pediment. It also affords the best view I have seen of Westfield Lodge, the building at the extreme left with its large central doorway.
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_129 above.] jgc_01_130
2018: The image is impossible to replicate as it was taken from the end of the West Pier. The seven or eight houses to the left (west) of the image were demolished to make way for the Metropole Hotel. To help with orientation, look for the low, dark roof fifth from the left of the James Gray image which is clearly identifiable in the closer view in jgc_29_065 (corner of Cannon Place and Kings Road). (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: These three photographs [jgc_01_146, 147 and 148] are of the same period – 1870 to 1875. jgc_01_147
James Gray: [See caption for jgc_01_147 above.] jgc_01_148
James Gray: No comment. jgc_01_152
James Gray: Copy of a stereoscopic photograph of the sea front, just to the east of the West Pier. Note how the boy leaning over the railing has slightly moved between the taking of the two photographs. Year unknown, but probably about 1860. jgc_01_158
Text is being prepared or edited for this entry. It will be available soon.
James Gray: Taken in the very early 1890s, because between the Hotel Metropole and Cannon Place can be seen four of the original private houses still standing. Note also the house immediately to the left of the Hotel, and see the comments on following photographs. jgc_01_169
James Gray: Photograph of this recently built hotel, which by its sheer size and opulent appearance attracted many of the late Victorian cameras. This is the earliest of the three [jgc_01_170, jgc_01_171, jgc_01_172] [see following]. Note that the eastern extension had yet to be built. jgc_01_170
James Gray: Period early 1890s before the three houses to the east had been demolished for the hotel extension. jgc_01_178
James Gray: Metropole and Grand Hotel from West Pier, late 1890s. jgc_01_176
James Gray: As it was at the turn of the century. The appearance of the buildings has changed little in 50 years, apart from the removal of the railings and the refacing of the corner house, now Abbotts Hotel. jgc_01_181
James Gray: This photograph [from 1870] shows the newly built promenade from Cannon Place to Regency Square. Until the late 1860s this finished in a low gravel bank which ran from the footway to the beach and which is clearly seen in the earlier photograph on the next page.
James Gray: The construction of the sea wall in 1894. Now the site of the boating pool. jgc_01_084
James Gray: The smaller photograph, taken from the West Pier deck, a few years later than 02_065. It provides a contrast with the earlier view as during the intervening years the beach had steadily built up to the level of the top of the sea wall. jgc_02_066
James Gray: Three photographs of the early 1920s, certainly not later than 1924. Note the tall building at the corner of Preston Street – the New Club. jgc_02_099, jgc_02_100 and jgc_02_101
James Gray: The contrast between the pre-1914 and post-war periods. This photograph was taken during the 1900s with its horsed traffic. jgc_02_163
2019: The Metropole and Grand Hotels are still prominent on the seafront. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)
James Gray: View looking west. jgc_03_065
2019: Panoramic view of the seafront taken from the Palace Pier. The most striking additions to the skyline are the i-360, Sussex Heights and Chartwell Court in the city centre. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)
Text is being prepared or edited for this entry. It will be available soon.
James Gray: Here is an interesting comparison (and following [jgc_29_065]). The original of this photograph must have been taken in one of the years 1866-1868. The shopkeeper, Dickenson, at 107 Kings Road (next to the corner) was there only during these three years. jgc_29_064
James Gray: Here is the same corner, nearly a century later, on 1 August 1965, to be exact. Look at the doorway of the tall corner building, in the 1860s known as Cannon Mansion, a lodging house and in 1965 a part of the Hotel Metropole. It seems virtually unchanged as does the low building beyond. In the earlier photograph [jgc_29_064] it was a billiard saloon, but in this century, a Post Office. This building together with others higher up the road have since been removed for the Conference Hall. jgc_29_065