James Gray: A view of the YMCA in 1955, as a distinct contrast [to jgc_10_004 and 005 on the Old Steine (1) page]. jgc_10_006.
James Gray: This photograph, of August 1930 is of the plaque fixed to the Steine Lane side of Mrs Fitzherbert’s House, in the Old Steine. Sculpted by Eric Gill, it is very familiar to most Brightonians, even in its new position, but how many know the date of its original unveiling? This took place on Saturday 10 October 1925. jgc_10_078
2018: William Porden, the architect of the Dome in the Pavilion Grounds, designed and built Steine House in 1804 for Maria Fitzherbert, mistress and later the secret wife of George IV. Brighton YMCA bought the property in 1884 and it has been used to provide housing and support to people in the city with complex needs ever since. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: A blown-up close view of houses on either side of the narrow entrance to Pool Valley, from the Old Steine, about 1870. jgc_10_009
2018: The narrow entrance to Pool Valley from the Old Steine today. The buildings on either side have lost their first floor balconies. No 44, on the right, has had the original roof replaced by a modern mansard and the mathematical tiles painted black. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: Views across the Steine Gardens from the east and west. It is not possible to state with accuracy the date of these photographs but such clues as there are suggest a period about 1890. The large building 56 Old Steine, was then occupied as a school for girls. jgc_10_014
2018: The view of Victoria Fountain looking west. Blenheim House on the left is now home to several work studios. The Royal Bank of Scotland building on the right stands in the footprint of Needhams department store, demolished in 1930. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: View across the Steine to Castle Square in the 1920s and before the removal of Needham’s building. jgc_10_025
2018: Looking north across Old Steine towards the Royal Bank of Scotland which has replaced the Needhams building. Mature trees and foliage obscure visibility in the new image which was taken from the third floor of the Royal Albion Hotel. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: View of the west side of Old Steine showing the Gardens surrounded by iron railings, removed during the next year. Old type motor buses cross the Steine, whilst pedestrians walk nonchalantly in the empty streets. jgc_10_027
2018: Looking north from the third floor of 44 Old Steine. RBS – Royal Bank of Scotland now stands on the old footprint of Needhams, with dedicated bus lanes in place to assist traffic flow. (Photographer: Jane Jordan)
James Gray: One of four photographs [see also jgc_09_107, 108 and 109] calling for little comment. jgc_09_110
2019: View from the Old Steine looking west, with Royal Bank of Scotland to the right of the picture. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: View of the Pavilion Grounds, from the north, in 1922; at that time the old elm trees, now on the pavement, were inside the railing. These trees with masses of shrubs almost entirely excluded a view of the lawns. In 1921, Brighton Corporation in order to widen the approaches to the sea, decided to take a portion of the grounds for road widening. The roadway of Pavilion Parade and the Old Steine on the west side was increased by an average width of twenty feet. This photograph was taken at the corner of Church Street and in the far distance can be seen the War Memorial. jgc_30_028
There are more images of the Old Steine on the ‘Historic Images of Brighton and Hove’ site: Click here to view