Construction and early history The Ritz Hotel, London

the ritz under construction in october 1905

swiss hotelier césar ritz, former manager of savoy hotel, opened hotel on 24 may 1906. built on site had been old white horse cellar, 1805 1 of best known coaching inns in england. financial backers of ritz felt had secured 1 of prime sites in london project. began negotiations in 1901, , completed transactions simultaneous purchase of leasehold walsingham house hotel , adjacent freehold estate of bath hotel £250,000 in 1902. demolition of both of hotels began in 1904.

the building neoclassical in louis xvi manner, built during belle Époque resemble stylish parisian block of flats, on arcades consciously evoked rue de rivoli. architects charles mewès, had designed ritz s hôtel ritz paris, , arthur davis, engineering collaboration swedish engineer sven bylander. 1 of earliest substantial steel frame structures in london, savoy hotel extension of 1903-04 being first in capital. many of materials used in construction of hotel us-made. initial fees suites ranged 1 1/2 guineas 3 1/2 guineas.

after opening, long-running feud between hotel , lord wimbourne, steel magnate lived next door @ wimbourne house, lasted years in dispute on land. number of locals concerned building , impact have on health.

while ritz still under construction, series of events highlighted need luxury hotel in london. 3 june 1905 daily mail news story reported both derby week , height of tourist season, making hotel accommodation impossible find. savoy had refuse reservations, while buckingham palace turned offices makeshift hotel rooms visitors. estimated 2,500 more persons needing rooms expected shortly coming visit of king of spain.

though opening of savoy had brought marked change in how hotels provided services guests, ritz determined london hotel surpass competitor in delivery. ritz installed 2 large lead-lined tanks on roof provide steady stream of hot , cold water. hotel s bathrooms spacious each having own heated towel bar. every bedroom in hotel provided own working fireplace.

ritz shunned free-standing wardrobes due fear of dust settling on them; instead built cupboards rooms doors matching panelling. ritz s ideas of cleanliness , hygiene prompted him have bedrooms painted in white , beds made of brass, not wood, same reasons. new or potentially useful available guests of ritz.

césar ritz s health had declined after 1902 collapse @ carlton, feeling enough assume active role in plans hotel s opening dinner on 24 may 1906. unlike opening of paris ritz, had catered society, of invited ritz, london opening members of national , international press. major british newspapers such daily mail, daily mirror , daily telegraph invited dinner along newspapers included berliner tageblatt, sydney morning herald , new york times. ritz s guest list included engineer , architects of structure along key staff members of new hotel , wives.

the hotel not immensely profitable in opening years; smaller many of new hotels springing in period, not fashionable initially, , resented many of london elite considered vulgar. took £3628 in 1908, on thousand pounds less previous year, , hotel lost on £50,000 between 15 may 1906 , 31 july 1908, led replacement of elles manager theodore kroell , appointment of charles van gyzelen manager of restaurant.

the hotel suffered blow upon death of king edward in 1910, when 38 planned dinners , functions cancelled, began prosper following year, made fashionable prince of wales regularly dined here. king edward particularly fond of cakes made @ ritz. hotel regularly send him supply, kept in confidence king s chef may not have wanted known food did not prepare served @ buckingham palace. ritz retained control of of hotel s operation many years. hired world-famous chef auguste escoffier provide cuisine match opulence of hotel s decorations; placed special bell in entryway doorman notify staff of impending arrival of royalty. 1929 hotel still being praised architecture; professor charles reilly wrote ritz in building magazine in 1929, calling finest modern structure in street, elegance of general form .

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