An application has been submitted seeking to revive a hotel that was ravaged by flames.
Britannia Hotels has submitted a planning proposal to Brighton and Hove City Council for the restoration of 73 windows at the Grade II* listed Royal Albion Hotel in Brighton. This constitutes part of efforts to create a high-end hospitality venue.
The property sustained severe harm when flames erupted in July 2023. The western area of the edifice, formerly called the Lions Mansion building, required demolition after experts deemed it structurally unsound.
Last February, stretches of the A259 Kings Road were cordoned off following concerns that the establishment risked complete structural collapse.
In November, documentation submitted to the council revealed that a stone column on the hotel’s ground floor level was at imminent risk of collapsing.
An evaluation carried out by QED Structures discovered a full horizontal crack, outward deformation and evidence of recent movement.
Strengthening measures were subsequently undertaken.
The proposals, developed alongside contributions from Archaeology South East, HNW Architects and Lewis & Co Planning, encompass upgrading the hotel’s eastern section, including window refurbishments and enhancements.
According to Britannia, the windows will honour the property’s two-hundred-year-old character while carefully modernising it to satisfy current expectations for comfort, energy performance and usability.
The window enhancement scheme will represent one of the earliest visible indicators of the building’s revival. Multiple structural assessments and stabilisation projects have already been carried out.
Britannia Hotels has been engaging with planning and heritage officers at Brighton and Hove City Council regarding proposals to modernise the hotel. This encompasses restoring and renewing areas damaged by the blaze and erecting a fresh prestigious hotel on the western part of the grounds.
Paul Streets, director of Britannia Hotels Group, explained that their work to transform the Royal Albion Hotel moves forward with this next stage of their plans. He noted that these suggestions have been meticulously prepared with specialist heritage consultants to ensure the building’s historic identity is maintained, while installing new premium windows that considerably enhance comfort and energy efficiency for future visitors.
He added that since 2023, their priority has been collaborating closely with the council and conservation specialists to develop a thoughtful and achievable scheme. This submission marks a significant milestone in their broader vision to reinstate the hotel and establish a rejuvenated venue that acknowledges the hotel’s established role along Brighton’s seafront alongside its future prospects.