The Grand Hotel in Brighton has dominated the Brighton seafront since it was constructed in 1864 by architect John Whichcord, largely for members of the upper classes visiting the City, or town, as it was in those days.
Among its advanced engineering features was the ‘Vertical Omnibus’, a hydraulically-powered lift that was powered by cisterns on the roof and was the first lift to be built in the UK outside London. The building itself is a fine example of Italian influence in Victorian architecture. The 201 bedrooms recently underwent a total renovation, along with most of the public areas, and has now returned to its dominant status as the finest 5-star hotel in the City.
