Riviera Hotel

The Riviera Hotel, built in 1937 by L Stewart Smith, is a striking example of modernist architecture. Constructed using reinforced concrete via the Mouchel/Hennebique system by Truscon Ltd, the building reflects an austere design characteristic of the pre-war era, potentially influenced by contemporary architecture in Rome. The hotel is situated on a commanding site overlooking Weymouth Bay.

The building features a symmetrical layout centered around an administration and amenities block, including a large dining room and kitchens complex with a prominent square tower. The tower has recessed panels on each face, with the word "RIVIERA" inscribed vertically above the entrance. To either side of the main entrance are large arched casements with radial heads, and later, a sympathetic flat-roofed office addition. The hotel’s design incorporates two long arcs of bedrooms, each with 29 bays. The outer 11 bays of each arc feature set-back decorative ‘Spanish’ balcony railings above the floor slab. The inner 18 bays incorporate arches at each level, with a deep continuous spandrel acting as a projecting string course and simple railings at the upper level. Plain square piers support the structure, with a plinth approximately 1 meter high. A balcony promenade runs along the front, backed by walls featuring alternating steel casements and six-panel doors with raised mouldings. External steel staircases are located at each end, with concrete staircases at bay 11 from either side. A ballroom was later added behind the south wing around 1960.

The original dining and dance hall, approximately 24 meters by 12 meters, featured a clear-span ceiling structure achieved using a 'diagrid' concrete design. The hotel cost roughly £40,000, including fittings. The rear of the hotel has a plain wall with a simple cornice band. A concrete pier, intended to be built in the cove, was also mentioned in a contemporary report. With the exception of the ballroom addition, the building retains its original design and integration with the landscape.