Chimneys - Mercure Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton, Sussex. BN1 2PJ
Posted by: greysman
N 50° 49.368 W 000° 09.324
30U E 700347 N 5633976
There are several impressive chimney stacks on this popular hotel in Brighton.
Waymark Code: WM9TRT
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/29/2010
Views: 4
Built in 1865 as the Norfolk Hotel at 149 Kings Road, it has 5 and 6 storeys over a basement with a 7-window range. The ground floor stands forward with the central entrance flanked by Corinthian columns whilst the fully glazed front has modern glazing. There are continuous cast-iron railings forming a first-floor balcony. The second and third floors also have balconies to the centre and wings with cast-iron railings. At the sides of the building at roof level are broad arcaded stacks with bracketed cornices, and narrower stacks also with bracketed cornices higher up at either side of centre. The roofs are mansard type with curved profile.
The only features to survive inside are the 4 storey cantilevered staircase, and a glass dome to the right of the staircase, decorated with gilded arabesques. This is in need of attention but is still quite a nice addition. The staircase has cast-iron balusters with monograms, ramped rail and open decorative string, but no newel; there used to be a lift in the well of the staircase, and the lift gates remain as part of the balustrade.
Now called the "Mercure Hotel" (April 2017)