We use cookies to personalize and improve your experience on our site. Visit our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to learn more. You can opt out of some cookies by adjusting your browser settings. More information on how to do this can be found in the cookie policy. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies.

Midland Hotel

Oliver Hill, Morecambe, 1933

 

Subscribe now to instantly view this image

Subscribe to the Architects’ Journal (AJ) for instant access to the AJ Buildings Library, an online database of nearly 2,000 exemplar buildings in photographs, plans, elevations and details.

Already a subscriber? Sign in

The east concave side facing the forecourt 

Architectural Review     Download Original

  • The east concave side facing the forecourt    
  • The west facade viewed from the sea    
  • The cafe and tea terrace form a independant single-storey block at the north-west corner    
  • Steps leading up to the cafe and tea terrace    
  • The steps and terrace leading to the south loggia    
  • Detail of one of the stone sea horses surmounting the entrance    
  • The rooftop solarium    
  • The cafe at night    
  • The east facade and hotel entrance    
  • The hall viewed from the staircase    
  • The great circular staircase and landings are cantilivered and constructed of reinforced concrete    
  • Looking up the staircase to the ceiling panel carved by Eric Gill    
  • South wall of the hall showing decorative portland stone panel    
  • The wall frescoes in the cafe and bar    
  • Ground floor plan    
  • First and second floor plan    
  • East elevation    

Forty-bedroom art deco hotel on the seafront at Morecambe

In 1932, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway bought land from Morecambe Corporation to build the new 40-bedroom Midland Hotel. Designed by architect Oliver Hall in the Streamline Modern style, the hotel rises from the sea 'like a great white ship'.

The general layout of the hotel has the main entrance and service portions on the concave side, enclosing the forecourt and facing the station, while the reception and guest rooms are on the convex side, overlooking the sea. The exterior is of glistening white rendering, composed of white cement and carborundum. All the soffits, undersides and projecting ledges are glazed blue green.

This effect of mirroring the sea is present in all areas of the hotel. The hall floor is laid with polished white cement terrazzo with strips of silver glass mosaic, resembling the ripples of the sea. A great circular staircase rises up from the hall past the private rooms and up to the roof where there is a solarium.

All furniture, fittings, lighting and decorations were designed by the architect.

Data

  • Begun: 1932
  • Completed: Jul 1933
  • Sector: Hotel
  • Address: The Midland Hotel , Marine Road West, Morecambe, LA4 4BU, United Kingdom

Professional Team