King's Road (3A)

James Gray: The lifeboat ‘William Wallis’. The event of which this photograph was taken is not known, and neither is the date or year. Certainly it has nothing to do with the opening of the Lifeboat House, at 109-111 King’s Road Arches, as this took place in 1892. The ‘William Wallis’ had been on station since 1904. The dress of the crowds and the line of scouts suggest a period of 1910-1914, but this is mere speculation. This station closed on July 7th 1931. jgc_02_118

James Gray: After the removal of the West Battery in 1858 the buildings behind it in Artillery Place, magazines, storehouse and men’s quarters, were no longer needed and the site became available for redevelopment. This photograph of 1861 or 1862 shows the demolition of Hobden’s Baths while the hoarding advertises the site of the proposed hotel. Here was built The Grand hotel opened on 23 July 1864. At the same time the Royal Artillery Baths were rebuilt, being finally absorbed in the hotel in 1908. jgc_02_127

2019: Circa 1900 The Grand hotel absorbed the left-hand half of the section shown in the 2019 photo. This was the rebuilt Hobden’s Royal Baths, which had been officially opened by the Mayor of Brighton in April 1865. The hotel subsequently acquired the adjacent building which completed the extension to Cannon Place. Part of the former baths building became the hotel ballroom, but is now the Empress Suite. The writing on the east wall of the partly-demolished baths in the 1861-62 photo reads ‘Hobden’s Royal Artillery Baths. Warm Shower Douche & Vapour Baths’. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)

James Gray: Copy of a stereoscopic photograph, which dated from the late 1860s, or maybe just a year or two later. jgc_02_131

2019: The extension of The Grand hotel to the west and the building of the Brighton Centre to the east are the main changes. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: This fine copy of an old stereoscopic photograph dates from between 1864 (The Grand Hotel opening) and 1867 (widening of promenade and erection of south wall and railings). Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_02_132

2019: The extension to the promenade in 1867, with the new south wall and railings, gave us the view we see in 2019. The seafront next to the i360 development, which occupies what was the entrance to the West Pier, has been renovated and improved. The Grand now has the Brighton Centre and Metropole Hotel as its neighbours. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Recent copies [jgc_02_135 and jgc_02_136] of two very old stereoscopic photographs of the 1860s. This photograph shows something rarely seen – the south pavement of King’s Road without the protective kerbside iron railings. No reliable information now exists about the year of their installation along this stretch of the pavement. It is thought to have been done in the late 1860s. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_02_135

2019: The Grand has been extended and its neighbours to the east replaced by the Brighton Centre, while the Metropole Hotel now dominates the road to the west. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Recent copies [jgc_02_135 and jgc_02_136] of two very old stereoscopic photographs of the 1860s. This photograph shows something rarely seen – the south pavement of King’s Road without the protective kerbside iron railings. No reliable information now exists about the year of their installation along this stretch of the pavement. It is thought to have been done in the late 1860s. This photograph is the older of the two as work on The Grand hotel is still in progress (see scaffolding and unfinished wall) so the date of this was probably early 1864. Additional Information: © Phillipe Garner. jgc_02_136

2019: The main façade of The Grand has been extended to the west and is partially obscured by the Brighton Centre to the east. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Same as a smaller photograph on another page [jgc_02_140] but being larger it shows more building to the left and right. jgc_02_137

2019: A glass conservatory has been added to the front of the hotel, covering much of the original entrance, though the structure and balconies remain largely unchanged.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Copy of an original photograph taken on the day the Hotel opened its doors to the public – 23 July 1864. Note the condition of the roadway and unfinished pavement. Additional Information: © Philippe Garner. jgc_02_138

2019: The main façade of the hotel is recognisable. A full length conservatory has been added in front of the main entrance and the hotel building has been extended to the west with the Brighton Centre replacing other buildings to the east. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Six photographs of The Grand hotel and King’s Road  [jgc_02_139-144] showing a seafront almost devoid of people. Exact year unknown but without doubt within a year or two of 1870. jgc_02_139

2019: The main façade of the hotel remains recognisable. A full length glass conservatory has been added to the front of the building, which has also been extended to the west. To the east, buildings have been replaced by the Brighton Centre which was completed in 1977.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: [See caption jgc_02_139 above.]  jgc_02_140

2019: The original entrance is now covered by a full length conservatory but the details are still visible behind the glass. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: [See caption jgc_02_139 above.]  jgc_02_141

2019: The James Gray image here and jgc_02_155 both show  a boy with what looks like a goat cart, or Billy cart. These were used for children’s rides on the seafront. Behind him is a horse-drawn carriage. In the 2019 image The Grand has been extended to the west and its façade partially obscured by the Brighton Centre to the east.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: See caption jgc_02_139] above.  jgc_02_142

2019: The James Gray picture shows an invalid carriage or ‘Bath chair’ waiting by the kerb with the horse-drawn vehicles. On the road itself there is almost no traffic at all in this series of pictures, a marked contrast with the regular traffic jams of the 21st century. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: [See caption jgc_02_139 above.]  jgc_02_143

2019: The Grand hotel is now partially obscured by the Brighton Centre and the terracotta façade of the Metropole Hotel dominates the buildings to the west.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: [See caption jgc_02_139 above.]  jgc_02_144

2019: The stretch between The Grand hotel and West Street is now dominated by the Brighton Centre and next to that the 1960s Kingswest Centre, which fills the corner of King’s Road and West Street. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: These two photographs are little different from the many others of The Grand hotel in this album. They date from about the 1870 period, just a few years after the hotel opened. It is puzzling to know why so many photographs of this hotel were taken at this period unless it was the very size of the building which so impressed the Victorian photographers. jgc_02_145

2019: The main façade of the hotel is recognisable and still impresses visitors 150 years later. The main changes are the addition of a glass conservatory along the length of the front, the extension of the hotel to the west and the side of the Brighton Centre visible to the east.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: The original photograph, of which this is a copy, was taken within a year or two of the opening of The Grand hotel. The stone pillars and entrance are still there now, nearly 90 years afterwards, though they are obscured from King’s Road by the pillars and roof of the sun terrace, added in recent times. jgc_02_147

2019: A glass entrance and conservatory now cover the original entrance, but the balcony above remains recognisable.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: This view of The Grand hotel and King’s Road dates from about 1870. As can be seen workmen in course of erecting the railings overlooking the beach. The esplanade from here to the Hove boundary had been laid down as far back as 1827 but for a long time it was unfenced and a low bank ran down to the beach below. jgc_02_148

James Gray: Soon after the West battery was removed in 1858, the crescent of houses seen on a previous page [jgc_02_148], was demolished and the site was put up for sale in 1861. Here The Grand hotel was built at a cost of £160,000 and opened in 1864. Hobden’s baths were rebuilt about the same time and provided with a swimming bath. These baths were later closed and absorbed into the hotel about 1908. This photograph of the hotel dates from its very early days, probably within a year of two of its opening, because there are no diagonal cross members in the kerbside railing. jgc_02_149

2019: The extension of The Grand to the east and the addition of the conservatory along the front of The Grand are the main changes, together with the change in means of transport. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: The two small photographs [jgc_02_150 and jgc_02_151] are of uncertain age but probably date from the 1870s. jgc_02_150

2019: The hotel towers over other seafront buildings in the James Gray image but now has neighbours its own size. In spite of this modern competition it still dominates the view.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: The two small photographs (jgc_02_150 and jgc_02_151) are of uncertain age but probably date from the 1870s. jgc_02_151

2019: From this angle the The Grand has its façade partially obscured by the bulky Brighton Centre to the east. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: The clue to the age of this large photograph is provided by the letters BRUM over the shop window of No 90. This was occupied by C Brumfit, tobacconist, who was here from 1865 until 1868, so it dates from one of these years and is probably the oldest existing photograph of The Grand hotel, opened in 1864. jgc_02_152

2019: Brumfit, the tobacconist at No 90, occupied the third building to the right of The Grand in the James Gray image. Its site now lies under the Brighton Centre.

James Gray: These two small photographs, of about the same period as the previous one [jgc_02_152], and by Edward Fox are now so indistinct that they add nothing to our knowledge of this area. jgc_02_153

2019: The faded pictures still give us a sense of the atmosphere of the Victorian seafront. It would be interesting to know why the gentleman in the foreground is saluting. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_02_154 and 155] of King’s Road and The Grand hotel, taken just a year or two after the previous one. Brumfit, the Tobacconist, had been succeeded by Harris at No 90 while next door, at No 89, the ground floor had been converted into a shop for Ellis and Wilson, Wine merchants. Year most probably 1871. jgc_02_154

2019: The buildings on both sides of The Grand have been replaced, with the Brighton Centre and Metropole Hotel most prominent. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: These two photographs (jgc_02_154 and 155) of King’s Road and The Grand hotel, taken just a year or two after the previous one. Brumfit, the Tobacconist, had been succeeded by Harris at No 90 while next door, at No 89, the ground floor had been converted into a shop for Ellis and Wilson, Wine merchants. Year most probably 1871. jgc_02_155

2019: See caption for jgc_02_154 above. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Although not the earliest of many photographs of The Grand hotel, it is probably the most interesting as so much can be seen.  J E Mayall, photographic artist, was at 91 King’s Road for many years from 1864 and his fine lofty studio was on the roof of that large house. Note the Bath chair and the top-hatted cabbies. Behind the seat is a water pipe for filing the water carts that seemingly watered the pavements as well as the roads.

James Gray: These two photographs [jgc_02_157 and jgc_02_158] are of King’s Road with the Grand Hotel as the focal point. Period about 1870. The hotel seems to have had a magnetic influence upon Victorian photographers. jgc_02_157

2019: The main façade of the hotel remains recognisable. The building has been extended to the east and the buildings to the west have been replaced by the Brighton Centre and Kingswest.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: These two photographs  [jgc_02_157 and jgc_02_158] of King’s Road with The Grand hotel as the focal point. Period about 1870. The hotel seems to have had a magnetic influence upon Victorian photographers. jgc_02_158

2019:  The tower block, Sussex Heights, can be seen in the background.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: This photograph of The Grand hotel seems to have been taken in the early 1880s. jgc_02_159

2019: The main façade of the hotel is still recognisable. A full length glass conservatory has been added in front of the main entrance and the building has been extended to the west, while the Brighton Centre has been built to the east. A nice clear view of a Bath chair can be seen in the James Gray picture. They must have been very heavy to push on any kind of slope so the long, flat promenade was always a popular spot for them. (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: A wartime photograph of an anti-aircraft gun crew manning their Bofors gun on the promenade opposite Cannon Place. Obviously a posed photograph as the few pedestrians about do not seemed alarmed. jgc_02_196

2019: The Grand hotel has been extended to the west but otherwise looks much as it did though without the anti-aircraft gun and crew in the foreground! (Photographer: Alison Meekings)

James Gray: Four photographs [jgc_02_208, 209, 210 and 211] of 1960 which show the entire King’s Road frontage of the West Street redevelopment, and round into West Street itself. Poor though these houses were, it could be argued that they were less offensive than the Top Rank building which succeeded them. jgc_02_208

2019: The Brighton Centre, a conference and concert venue, now dominates the foreground to the east of The Grand hotel.  Sussex Heights, a residential tower block built 1966-68, is visible behind The Grand. The Top Rank building referred to by James Gray is located to the east of the Brighton Centre. It opened in 1965 as the Top Rank Suite and comprised a dance hall with bars but changed its name to the Top Rank Centre in 1966 with the addition of an ice skating rink and bowling alley. It was renamed Kingswest (from King’s Road and West Street at the corner of which it sits) in 1972 and continues to bear that name. It now houses a multiscreen Odeon cinema.  (Photographer: Alison Meekings, Text: David Sears)