A MODERN PLEASURE PALACE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 949, 14 May 1908, Page 22

A MODERN PLEASURE PALACE.

A scheme for reviving the ‘‘glories” that were associated with Brighton in the heyday of the reign of George IV. is to be submitted shortly to the municipal authorities of the world’s largest wateringplace, and subsequently, if supported,. to Parliament for approval. It is, in brief, a proposal for the creation of a grand Summer and Winter Palace on a scale which, for luxury and pleasure, will rival any of the more famous Continental casinos or kursaals, whose patronage it is hoped thereby to compete for on English soil, beneath English skies, by the high-est-class attractions and hospitality. With this object it will be necessary to reclaim a considerable portion of the Brighton foreshore from the sea, to build a new seawall, and to take in that portion of the

sea-front and gardens that lies between the existing Norfolk and Bedford Hotels. Upon this site it is proposed to build, at a cost of £200,000, a magnificent palace of amusements which will include one of the handsomest restaurants in the world, a large marble ballroom for fancy dress balls and cinderellas, the largest real-ice skating rink in the. world—covering half an acre—where facilities will be provided, not only for skating, but for tobogganing, ski-ing, and sleighing with Eskimo dogs —a concert hall large than Daly’s Theatre, ‘where first-class entertainments will be provided by the foremost London theatrical companies and concert artists, a swimming bath for “mixed” bathing, together with billiard, drawing, reading, and retiring rooms; while the grounds will provide racquet and tennis courts. According to the plans and specifications prepared, the palace itself will be 465 ft long, and will be built of white marmorite, enriched with various-coloured marbles. The new sea-wall will be 150 ft southward of the existing wall. The garden will cover over four acres, faced by a sheltered promenade running alongside the sea for 1325 ft. The palm-house and winter garden will be larger than the Dome Assembly < Rooms, affording accommodation for 3000 persons. This will contain a grand saloon for the seating of 2000 people, and will be provided with a bandstand and ornamental fountains. The concert hall will be 100 ft in length by 142 ft in width, capable of seating 1600 persons. The restaurant, which is .to be on a luxurious scale, will provide sea

views from its windows, and beneath it will be constructed a marble swimming bath, fitted with sluice gates, to retain the sea water at low tide. The ballroom and assembly hall, a billiard-room, also built of marble, will be 108 ft by 48ft. The entire building will be enclosed, in ornamental grounds, and the tennis and racquet courts, where it is proposed to hold turnaments,, will be open to the public view from the landward side.