51-55, The Pantiles

Nos 51 to 55 on The Pantiles, built in 1746, were originally the lower Assembly Rooms and later became the Royal Victoria Hotel. They are now used as sale rooms. The building is early 19th century, featuring four storeys and a basement with stuccoed walls, while the ground floor is rusticated. There is a parapet with small panels and caps above each pilaster, along with a large scrolled panel in the center that reads 'Royal Victoria Pantechnicon'. Four pilasters extend from the first to the third floor, and there is a string course above each floor. A cast iron balcony is present on the first floor, and there are eight sash windows with moulded surrounds and original glazing bars. The porch is supported by fluted Doric columns, and above the entablature are two large shields held by a lion and a unicorn, with a crown in the center, representing the Coat of Arms of the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Nos 45 to 61 form a group with Nos 21 to 31a.