Exciting milestone - Brighton's Royal Albion Hotel
Planning and Listed Building Consent applications have been submitted for the first phase of the long-term restoration and regeneration of Brighton's Royal Albion Hotel, one of the city's most recognisable and historically significant seafront landmarks.
On behalf of Britannia Hotels and working closely with Archaeology South East, Lewis & Co Planning and Bloomsbury Surveyors, HNW Architects has developed a phased regeneration strategy to secure the long-term future of the site following the devastating fire of July 2023.
Designed by Amon Henry Wilds and completed in 1826, the Royal Albion Hotel occupies a prime position at the southern end of Old Steine and forms a key part of Brighton’s historic townscape and seafront setting.
Designed by Amon Henry Wilds and completed in 1826, the Royal Albion Hotel occupies a prime position at the southern end of Old Steine and forms a key part of Brighton’s historic townscape and seafront setting.
Historic images c 1900 and 1948
The proposals focus on the careful restoration and refurbishment of the surviving Grade II* listed eastern parcel of the hotel, bringing 101 guest rooms back into use whilst safeguarding the building's architectural and historic significance. The scheme includes accessibility improvements, enhanced fire safety measures, upgraded building services, refurbishment of historic interiors and the reinstatement of the first-floor terrace overlooking Brighton seafront and Palace Pier.
A key feature of the proposals is the restoration of the terrace and the reinstatement of its traditional balustrade, re-establishing one of the building’s defining architectural features and creating a distinctive public-facing space with panoramic views across the seafront.
A key feature of the proposals is the restoration of the terrace and the reinstatement of its traditional balustrade, re-establishing one of the building’s defining architectural features and creating a distinctive public-facing space with panoramic views across the seafront.
Aerial images pre and post fire
The wider design strategy has been informed by extensive heritage research and technical investigations, with proposals carefully developed to retain and celebrate surviving historic fabric while ensuring the building can operate successfully as a contemporary hotel.
The submitted plans also improve accessibility to the landmark building, including the introduction of a new step-free entrance from Old Steine, taking advantage of the enhanced public realm being delivered through the Valley Gardens programme.
The submitted plans also improve accessibility to the landmark building, including the introduction of a new step-free entrance from Old Steine, taking advantage of the enhanced public realm being delivered through the Valley Gardens programme.
Aerial sketch pre and post fire
The submitted proposals will restore the surviving Grade II* listed hotel and establish a viable standalone operation, whilst preserving the opportunity for the comprehensive redevelopment of the western parcel in a future phase.
The applications form the first phase of a wider long-term vision for the site, with the current proposals focused on restoring the historic hotel and establishing a viable standalone operation while supporting the continued regeneration of this important gateway location on Brighton seafront.
The applications form the first phase of a wider long-term vision for the site, with the current proposals focused on restoring the historic hotel and establishing a viable standalone operation while supporting the continued regeneration of this important gateway location on Brighton seafront.
The Royal Albion is one of Britain’s most recognisable historic buildings and occupies a prominent position within the city’s seafront townscape.
The challenge has been to carefully balance the conservation of a highly significant listed building with the practical requirements of a modern hotel.
These applications represent an important step in securing the long-term future of the Royal Albion and restoring a landmark building that has played a significant role in Brighton's history for almost 200 years.
The challenge has been to carefully balance the conservation of a highly significant listed building with the practical requirements of a modern hotel.
These applications represent an important step in securing the long-term future of the Royal Albion and restoring a landmark building that has played a significant role in Brighton's history for almost 200 years.
Lee Davies, Director at HNW Architects and RIBA Conservation Architect
The Royal Albion Hotel occupies a unique place in Brighton's history and on its seafront. Since the fire in 2023, our focus has been on developing a viable strategy that secures the future of the site.
The submission of these proposals marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to bring this landmark historical building back into active use again.
The submission of these proposals marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to bring this landmark historical building back into active use again.
Paul Streets, Director of Britannia Hotels Group
June 2026