James Gray: 1891, showing the recently opened Hotel Metropole. Note the adjoining four houses to the east, later removed for an extension to the hotel. jgc_01_162/164 (identical images, top right) and jgc_01_163
James Gray: This photograph is of a few years later than the previous one, with the Metropole fully built. The words on the adjacent shop are obscured so this does not help. Could be the late 1890s or early 1900s. jgc_01_161
James Gray: Taken from as near as possible to the spot where the earlier photograph was taken [jgc_02_128 on the King’s Road (2) page], this shows the same length of King’s Road 86 years later. Not only has the Metropole Hotel replaced most of the old houses, but almost all of those remaining show external alterations. The two houses immediately west of Queensbury Mews were almost completely rebuilt and refronted. jgc_02_129
2020: The curved and columned house on the extreme left (west) of the 1956 image was refaced in the mid-1890s. The Metropole Hotel has now lost its imposing spire. To the right (east) of the Metropole, 106-109 Kings Road were still individual houses in 1956 but were later demolished and rebuilt as an indistinguishable (and undistinguished) part of the Metropole. The top two floors of the hotel were converted into residential apartments in the mid 1960s.
James Gray: A rather indistinct photograph featuring the recently built Metropole Hotel. There is nothing of special interest to mention. The year is uncertain. In the far right distance is the skeleton of the Palace Pier and the outline of the Chain Pier so it could date from the early 1890s. jgc_01_165
James Gray: About 1905, showing the area of the beach now covered by the paddling pool. For many years Brighton Sailing Club occupied the arch outside which stood the tall mast. The mast further East marked the site of the old West Battery. jgc_01_182 [NB No image included for jgc_01_182 as it is identical to jgc_01_165 above]
James Gray: Note the subtle differences between these two photographs [see also jgc_01_167 on the Brighton West Seafront: images on the beach (1) page] and those on the previous page [jgc_01_164]. 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_166
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_168
James Gray: Dating from before 1900. jgc_01_185
2019: Not only has the Hotel Metropole lost its spire and mansard roofs, but the right-hand extension (east) has had two extra storeys added to form private apartments. The window configuration on the fourth floor of the extension has also been changed to suit the layout of the apartments. The ornate extension on the ground floor has been simplified and opened up to form a patio for The Salt Room Restaurant. On the left (west) No 1 Regency Square is dwarfed by Astra House (1937) which in turn is dwarfed by the seventeen floors of Bedford Heights. (Photographer: Suzanne Hinton)
James Gray: Four photographs of the central area of the seafront ranging in period from 1912 to 1930. jgc_02_167
2020: The lamp post shown in the original photo is now obscured by the glass of the lift that takes people down to the i360 ticket office but the Metropole Hotel and the Grand are still prominent, as is the Brighton Centre to the east. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)
James Gray: Four photographs of the central area of the seafront ranging in period from 1912 to 1930. jgc_02_169
2019: The Grand Hotel appears squeezed between the Metropole Hotel and Brighton Centre on King’s Road. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)
James Gray: This is a later photograph, the dress of the people suggests a period of about 1880. jgc_02_133
2019: The recently renovated arches and railings on this part of the seafront seem to have hardly changed since the 1880s but the promenade itself has been transformed by the demolition of many buildings, now replaced by The Metropole Hotel and the Brighton Centre. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)
James Gray: The Coach Venture outside the Metropole with Mr. Alfred G. Vanderbilt driving. Year, 1914. jgc_01_174
James Gray: View from the air in the summer of 1922. Note in the background the houses of St Margaret’s Place and on the right, the Grand Hotel Garage, now swept away with the houses of Cannon Place. jgc_01_177
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. This was the focal building of the old block between Cannon Place and Queensbury Mews and behind it was the open ground used for drilling volunteers. In 1884, the Westfield Gardens estate, as it was known, came onto the market. It covered in all 67,000 superficial feet and was sold by Wilkinson, Son and Welch in the July of that year. jgc_01_130
James Gray: This photograph [copy advertisement] shows the building occupied exclusively by Hennah and Kent. The houses were demolished in the late 1880s to make way for the Metropole Hotel which now covers the site. See next photograph [jgc_01_154]. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_01_153
James Gray: This particular area of King’s Road figured prominently in the early photographic history of Brighton. In this photograph of about 1860 the house was shared between Hennah & Kent and W. H. Mason, who was previously apprenticed to this firm. The adjoining house, 109, then occupied by W. Cornish, Chemist and Druggist, later became Locke and Whitfield, photographers. At the other side, 107 was occupied by John Edwards, Auctioneer and House Agent, but within four years had changed to Dickinson Brothers, photographers, so by the mid-1860s all three buildings were photographic studios!
James Gray: Hotel Metropole, from the West Pier, period about 1892. Note the hoarding on the adjoining house which was later completely refronted. jgc_01_179
James Gray: Dating from before 1900. Additional Information: Girls paddling in sea in front of Metropole Hotel, hats. jgc_01_187
James Gray: No comment. Additional Information: Shows The Grand and Metropole Hotels. jgc_02_084
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 [see following: jgc_01_171 and jgc_01_172]. Note that the eastern extension had yet to be built. jgc_01_170
James Gray: One of three photographs (jgc_01_170, jgc_01 _171 and jgc_01_172) of this recently built Hotel, which by its sheer size and opulent appearance attracted many of the late Victorian cameras. jgc_01_171 and jgc_01_172