HISTORIC HOTEL CLOSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21600, 22 March 1932, Page 11

HISTORIC HOTEL CLOSED

“ CURZON ” AND ITS GHOSTS HAUNT OF PRINCE REGENT. The Cumin Hotel, Mayfair, a haunt over a century ago of the Prince Regent and Ids satellite Beau Brummcl, and a centre of London fashion down to the present day, has closed its doors. Servants who have been employed at the hotel for 30 or 40 years have been thrown out of work. A luxury hotel may be erected on the historic site; negotiations to this end have been under way (says the Daily Express), or a block of -flats may take its place. The old hotel, however, is doomed. The decision to close was made a few weeks ago, and the company will po into voluntary liquidation. The ground lease expires shortly, and under its terms a new building must be erected to secure renewal. Demolition is expected to begin shortly, and while the old buildings—for the Curzon Hotel grew from one building to another through a long process of enlargement—are being tumbled down the future of the site will be decided. The Curzon Hotel is tucked away in a bond of Curzon street, on the fringe of Piccadilly, yet out of sound of it. The flavours of the past cling like ghosts to the dull red carpets, the heavy, brocaded hangings, the white paintwork, and the massive oak staircase.