The Royal Pavilion grew over 35 years from a simple farmhouse to a spectacular palace. In 1787 Henry Holland extended the original farmhouse into a neo-classical building know as the 'Marine Pavilion'.
The Marine Pavilion from Views
of the Royal Pavilion, by John Nash, 1826
'The Pavilion and the Steine',
by J. Spornberg, 1796
From 1815-1823 John
Nash used new technology to transform the Pavilion into
the Indian style building that exists today. He enlarged
the building and added the domes and minarets that characterise
his design by superimposing a cast iron framework over
Holland's Marine Pavilion.
Transitional view of the Pavilion, c 1817
East Front of the Pavilion from Views
of the Royal Pavilion, by John Nash, 1826
Other features of
Nash's design were less successful: within 10 years the
roof had started to leak and concealed drainpipes were
overflowing and causing dry rot. After many years of neglect, a programme of restoration began in 1982.
