NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE
Just 320 metres long, Northumberland Avenue was designed for luxury accommodation, including the seven-storey Grand Hotel, The Victoria and The Metropole which were all in one block. From the 1930s onwards, most hotels disappeared and were replaced by offices used by departments of the British Government, including the War Office and Air Ministry . Here is where I got a bit confused! The Metropole, which opened in 1885, is now The Corinthia Hotel (left). But for many years, including both World Wars, it was commandeered by the government. In the early days, King Edward VII was a regular Metropole visitor, entertaining guests in its Royal Suite. The Hotel Victoria (centre) opened in 1887 and was one of London’s first buildings to have electricity. It closed in 1940 and was used by the War Office. It was subsequently renamed Northumberland House and currently provides...