Hotel Cecil (London)
Encyclopedia
The Hotel Cecil was a grand hotel
built 1890–96 between the Thames Embankment and the Strand
in London
, England
. It was named after Cecil House
(also known as Salisbury House), a mansion belonging to the Cecil family, which occupied the site in the 17th century.
Designed by architects Perry & Reed in a "Wrenaissance" style, the hotel was the largest in Europe when it opened with more than 800 rooms. The proprietor, Jabez Balfour
, later went bankrupt and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The hotel was requesitioned for the war effort in 1917, and the very first headquarters of the newly formed RAF
took up part of the hotel from 1918 to 1919. A green plaque was affixed just inside the outer entrance to the building in March 2008, proclaiming: The Royal Air force was formed and had its first headquarters here in the former Hotel Cecil 1st April 1918. Below it is a brass plate stating: This plaque was unveiled by the chief of air staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Glenn Torpy KCB CBE DSO ADC to mark the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force.
The hotel was the base for a Palestine Arab delegation that arrived in London in August 1921 and spent almost a year there, protest in vain against the proposed terms of the British Mandate for Palestine. The president of the delegation was Musa Kazim al-Husseini; its secretary was Shibli al-Jamal; the other delegates were Tawfiq Hammad, Amin al-Tamimi, Ibrahim Shammas and Mu'in al-Madi
; the assistant secretary was Dr. Fu'ad Samad.
The Cecil was largely demolished in Autumn 1930, and Shell Mex House
was built on the site. The Strand facade of the hotel remains (now occupied by shops and offices, including those of Interbrand
), with, at its centre, a grandiose arch leading to Shell Mex House proper.
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
built 1890–96 between the Thames Embankment and the Strand
Strand, London
Strand is a street in the City of Westminster, London, England. The street is just over three-quarters of a mile long. It currently starts at Trafalgar Square and runs east to join Fleet Street at Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City of London at this point, though its historical length...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It was named after Cecil House
Cecil House
Cecil House refers to two historical mansions on The Strand, London, in the vicinity of the Savoy. The first was a 16th century house on the north side, where the Strand Palace Hotel now stands...
(also known as Salisbury House), a mansion belonging to the Cecil family, which occupied the site in the 17th century.
Designed by architects Perry & Reed in a "Wrenaissance" style, the hotel was the largest in Europe when it opened with more than 800 rooms. The proprietor, Jabez Balfour
Jabez Balfour
Jabez Spencer Balfour was a businessman, British Liberal Party politician and fraudster.-Life:He was the son of James Balfour and Clara Lucas Balfour....
, later went bankrupt and was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
The hotel was requesitioned for the war effort in 1917, and the very first headquarters of the newly formed RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
took up part of the hotel from 1918 to 1919. A green plaque was affixed just inside the outer entrance to the building in March 2008, proclaiming: The Royal Air force was formed and had its first headquarters here in the former Hotel Cecil 1st April 1918. Below it is a brass plate stating: This plaque was unveiled by the chief of air staff Air Chief Marshall Sir Glenn Torpy KCB CBE DSO ADC to mark the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force.
The hotel was the base for a Palestine Arab delegation that arrived in London in August 1921 and spent almost a year there, protest in vain against the proposed terms of the British Mandate for Palestine. The president of the delegation was Musa Kazim al-Husseini; its secretary was Shibli al-Jamal; the other delegates were Tawfiq Hammad, Amin al-Tamimi, Ibrahim Shammas and Mu'in al-Madi
Mu'in al-Madi
Mu'in al-Madi was a Palestinian Arab politician and member of the Arab Higher Committee. He was one of the founders of the al-Istiqlal party, which espoused Arab nationalism...
; the assistant secretary was Dr. Fu'ad Samad.
The Cecil was largely demolished in Autumn 1930, and Shell Mex House
Shell Mex House
Shell Mex House is situated at number 80, Strand, London, UK. The current building was built in 1930-31 on the site of the Hotel Cecil and stands behind the original facade of the Hotel and between the Adelphi and the Savoy Hotel. Broadly Art Deco in style, it was designed by the architectural...
was built on the site. The Strand facade of the hotel remains (now occupied by shops and offices, including those of Interbrand
Interbrand
Interbrand, a division of Omnicom, is a global branding consultancy, specializing in vast brand services, including brand analytics, brand strategy, brand valuation, corporate design, digital brand management, and naming...
), with, at its centre, a grandiose arch leading to Shell Mex House proper.