James Gray: As can be seen, at this period the entrance [to the Royal Albion Hotel] was facing the sea in Grand Junction Road. Note that the street name plate on the wall merely reads Junction Road. The dining room now covers the site of the old entrance, and it is evident that the floor level must have been raised by several feet. jgc_04_035
2019: Since the 1873 photo was taken, a full width canopy has been added above the second floor windows and the southern entrance removed to make way for the dining room. A mansard roof has also been added. Immediately to the left of the dining room in 2019 is the Bar Rogue which serves food all day and drinks at night. To the right is a further ground floor extension, above which the original ironwork has been removed. The Grand Junction Road sign is now sited further to the east, to the right of the red car. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: This is a photograph showing the original appearance of the Hotel. Built on the site of Russell House that was pulled down in 1822, the Hotel was opened on 5 August 1826. It fell upon hard times towards the end of the last century and was closed in 1900, remaining unoccupied until 1913. It was acquired by Sir Harry Preston and soon became one of Brighton’s most fashionable hotels. Alterations on the ground floor to the south and east took place in the 1920s and 1930s. Date of photograph unknown. Almost certainly, however, 1870 or a year or two later. jgc_04_042
James Gray: [Another] photograph [see also jgc_04_042 above] of the Hotel of about 1870. This one was probably taken at almost the same time, by the positions of the two advertisements and the horse manure on the road. jgc_04_043
2019: See caption for jgc_04_042 above. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: The coach at the Hotel entrance must have been for some special event in view of the interest it aroused. By this period the daily coaches to and from London had long since ceased to run. jgc_04_044
2019: The 2019 photo shows a change to the position of the hotel name. The large Victorian central lantern over the entrance has been removed and replaced with a plain white modern light. Both photos show the north entrance to the hotel in the Old Steine, looking south-west. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_045
2019: See caption for jgc_04_042 above. (Photographer: Alan Hobden)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_046
2019: Since the 1870s picture of the Royal York hotel was taken, the building has changed its name and its function several times, although it remains recognisable. An extra storey has been added and the eastern entrance (behind the horse and carriage) and the three plain windows above it have been replaced by large bow windows. A canopy has been added to the northern entrance on the right which still bears the name Royal York. This entrance faces Steine Gardens and its Victoria Fountain.