From "England's greatest triumph in hotel construction" to "a blight on the city", the Adelphi Hotel has long been one of Liverpool's most famous destinations - for better or worse.
The original Adelphi Hotel, in Ranelagh Place, was opened by James Radley in 1826, and enjoyed a successful yet modest reputation for its first 50 years of business. This all changed in 1876, when the hotel was knocked down and replaced by a lavish 300-room complex which soared to the top of the list of Liverpool holiday destinations for the rich and famous.
Management was handled by hotelier William Towle, who pulled the reins for 18 years before the bold decision was made to demolish the old building to make way for a more modern hotel in a striking white design. The new Adelphi - which stands to this day - was designed by Liverpool architect R. Frank Atkinson, and was described as "the world's most palatial hotel" when it opened in 1914.