The Polygon was probably the most celebrated hotel in Southampton in the early 20th century and many famous visitors stayed here. It was particularly popular with the stars performing at the nearby Empire (now Mayflower) Theatre. The origins of the hotel go back to the late 18th century, to the ambitious Polygon development scheme. The original hotel on the site was built in the first (and only) phase of the 18th century development. The hotel was rebuilt in the 1870s with the original building largely incorporated within it (image 2 below). The original building was once again largely retained when hotel was rebuilt in the 1930s; the only serious loss was the portico. The hotel was demolished in 1999 and replaced by flats.
1. Polygon Hotel
Photograph, 1938
1. Polygon Hotel×
2. Polygon Hotel
Side view of the hotel, showing the original Polygon House (centre left of the photograph) now incorporated into the hotel, 1938.
2. Polygon Hotel×
see also
Further reading:
Polygon Hotel, Southampton, (promotional brochure, c.1938). (HS/k)
Southampton Occasional Notes, 2nd Series, by ‘Townsman’, p36. (HS/h)
Building Stones of Southampton, by Anthony Wadham, p9. (HS/i)
‘No More Rooms at this Inn’, by Tina Ediss, in Hampshire, Vol. 39, No. 3, January 1999, p14-15. (H/y)
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