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Lowestoft Empire Hotel
Lowestoft Empire Hotel
52.46164,1.74141
Closed: about 1915
opened July 1900
Kirkley Cliff Rd
grid reference TM 542 914
It's shown on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. interactive map
When built, this hotel was reputedly one of the finest in England, fitted with electric lighting and lifts to all floors, a library and restaurants. It was also said to have had as many rooms as days of the year and could accommodate over 300 guests.
It was also listed at Kirkley, in 1900.
During the Great War it was converted into a hospital for troops and afterwards was acquired by the Metropolitan Asylum Board and used as a sanatorium from 1921. The converted building began operation on 9th May 1922 as St Luke's hospital and provided 200 beds for adult surgical TB cases. St Luke's finally closed in about 1955.
The building was subsequently demolished in 1958.
Gallery
Landlords
Footnote
(some of these details from a book "A century of Lowestoft" by Ian G. Robb published in 1999 by Sutton Publishing)
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.