Hilton London Paddington
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | June 9, 1854 in London, England |
| Founder | Isambard Kingdom Brunel (concept developer) |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Hotel accommodation and services |
| Website | www |
The Hilton London Paddington, originally known as the Great Western Royal Hotel, is integrated within the Paddington Station complex located in London, England. The concept was developed by engineer and inaugural managing director Isambard Kingdom Brunel, with the majority of its financing provided by the Directors of the Great Western Railway Company. Erected on Praed Street during the early 1850s, it officially opened on 9 June 1854, inaugurated by H.R.H. Albert, Prince Consort following a construction period of 14 months. Architect Philip Charles Hardwick designed the hotel at an estimated cost of £60,000, including interior furnishings, with the ambition to compete with prominent hotels across Continental Europe. The structure forms the principal frontage of the station, effectively sealing off the train shed at the terminal platforms. The construction was carried out by Messrs Holland Hannen & Cubitts, a firm established by Thomas Cubitt.
Hardwick introduced the Second Empire architectural style to such buildings within England. The hotel was originally lavishly decorated both externally and internally and features an allegorical pediment sculpture crafted by John Thomas. Executed in the Louis XIV style, this includes a symbolic figure group above the entrance representing Peace, Plenty, Science, and Industry. Thomas also contributed ornamental work to the Palace of Westminster.
The hotel was leased by the Great Western Railway to its subsidiary company, the Great Western Royal Hotel Company, which was chaired by Brunel from 1855 until his death in 1859. Brunel’s vision encompassed a seamless travel experience from London to New York through integrated services and accommodations controlled by his company; however, this ambition faltered after the Great Western ship was decommissioned following loss of the Atlantic mail contract to Cunard.
A notable event in its history includes the death of Richard Plantagenet Temple-Nugent-Brydges-Chandos-Grenville, 2nd Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, a former Conservative Lord Privy Seal, who passed away bankrupt at the hotel in July 1861.
Later in the nineteenth century, full ownership was assumed by the railway company, which undertook remodeling and expansion of the hotel during the 1930s under architect Percy Emerson Culverhouse.
Socialite Norah, Norah, Lady Docker, renowned for her lavish lifestyle in mid-20th century Britain, died at this location on 11 December 1983.
Following privatization reforms of British Rail in 1983, ownership shifted into private hands. The property underwent refurbishment and was rebranded as part of the Hilton Hotels portfolio in 2001.
See also
- Paddington Waterside – this hotel is included within a wider redevelopment initiative for the Paddington district
- Hilton London Metropole – a contemporary convention hotel situated at Praed Street’s eastern end