Part of Royal Albion Hotel at risk of collapse again.

A portion of a fire-ravaged hotel is in “severe structural distress” and may collapse, posing a substantial risk to public safety.

According to recent documentation given to Brighton and Hove City Council, a masonry pier on the first floor of the Grade II* listed Royal Albion Hotel is “at imminent risk of collapse”.

A structural inspection performed by QED Structures revealed a full-width horizontal crack, outward bowing, and traces of recent movement.

According to a report, if the hotel structure fails, the “masonry pier” section may collapse onto the compromised terrace, resulting in a domino-like structural collapse.

The crack in the masonry pier (Image: Lewis and Co Planning)

Lewis and Co Planning has filed an application for “urgent temporary stabilisation works” to strengthen the structure and prevent collapse.

A portion of the A259 Kings Road was closed in February after it was discovered that the Royal Albion Hotel was in danger of “catastrophic failure”.

The hotel experienced a terrible fire in July 2023, rendering it abandoned ever since, and a section of the Grade II listed historic ‘Lion Mansion Hotel’ portion of the building was demolished as a result.

Another piece of the ancient “Lion Mansion Hotel” that was deemed to be at risk of collapsing earlier this year was dismantled.

The Argus revealed in October that the hotel’s owner, Britannia, still owed more than £1 million to Brighton and Hove City Council following the fire.

Britannia Hotels had contributed £500,000 to the seven-figure cost of the destruction.

Where the demolished section of the building stood (Image: The Argus)

Following the discovery of this new instability, The Bloomsbury Group stated:

“A thorough structural investigation conducted by QED Structures revealed substantial structural deterioration within one of the masonry piers placed along the front elevation at first-floor level.

“A full-width horizontal crack with outward bowing and signs of recent movement.

In the case of failure, the pier will most likely collapse downward onto the compromised terrace, which is made of hollow pot floor structure with corroded metal ribs, resulting in a domino-style structural collapse.

“This condition poses a serious and immediate risk both to public safety and to the preservation of the listed fabric of the Royal Albion Hotel.”

According to Lewis and Co, temporary propping to the masonry pier is “the only practicable method of ensuring short-term safety and structural stability”. The support is reversible.

What remains of the Royal Albion Hotel (Image: The Argus)

Archaeology South East proposed two solutions for ensuring the long-term stability of the affected part of the building:

install restraints/washer ties and “perhaps internal local framing” or demolish the problematic piece of the wall. It advised additional support rather than demolition.

It stated: “Essential temporary propping is in hand, which will be reversible and have minimal influence on the building’s fabric: this is a vital step from a heritage standpoint and will be followed by a written and photographic record.”

Two possibilities for the wall’s long-term stability have been proposed: destroy and replace the affected pier, or install ties through the front range at second floor level and pattress plates to the north and south external faces.

“Of these two options, the latter is recommended here due to its reversibility and its coherency with similar measures long used across Regency buildings in Brighton and elsewhere.”

Brighton and Hove City Council has been contacted for comment.

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