Hotel Cecil was erected between 1890-1896 to the designs of architects Perry & Reed and was the largest in Europe when opened. The hotel was later home to the RAF's headquarters in 1918-19. It was demolished in 1930 and Shell Mex House now occupies the site. This photograph was taken for John Barker and Company Limited, the owners of several large stores on Kensington High Street during the early twentieth century.
This is part of the Series: HBL01/01 Series Of Photographic Negatives And Prints; within the Collection: HBL01 The Bedford Lemere Collection
Source: Historic England Archive
Photographer: Lemere, Henry Bedford: Bedford Lemere And Company
Mantelpiece, Fireplace, Victorian Grand Hotel