Sep 22, 2002
Open House
Once a year, London flings open the doors to hundreds of privately-owned buildings and closed institutions across the boroughs.
P and I headed out early to make the most of the good weather and the lack of queues, and visited the Midland Grand Hotel (St Pancras Chambers) and Marble Arch – both of which I’ve wanted to get inside for years.
The Midland Grand is disused and dusty – though not quite derelict – and on the edge of a major refit, to bring it in line with the new Eurostar terminal which the station it sits on top of will be receiving. The hotel was in use from the 1880s until 1933, then being used as offices for the following fifty years or so. And then it was the location for the Spice Girls’ debut Wannabe video.
This year, the building was also being used to display some rather odd art/light installations, which sort of detracted from the faded gothic grandeur of the hotel architecture, and the impessive recent renovations of the original paintwork and decor. Ah well.
Marble Arch stands at the entrance to Hyde Park, overlooking Speaker’s Corner. Originally planned for the gate to Buckingham Palace, the arch was moved to Hyde Park where it now rests. And you can go inside! The room at the top of the arch, which can only be reached by ascending a set of very steep and narrow stairs – complete with peeling victorian paint – was originally used as a police interregation room.
Anyway, a fascinating annual event, well worth taking advantage of (next year, could they open up Aldwych, please?), especially for a nosy Londoner like me…
