Brighton Royal Pavillion

The Prince Regent, who later became King George IV, first visited Brighton in 1783, as his physician advised him that the seawater would be beneficial for his gout. In 1786 he rented a farmhouse in the Old Steine area of Brighton. Being remote from the Royal Court in London, the Pavilion was also a discreet location for the Prince to enjoy liaisons with his long-time companion, Mrs Fitzherbert. The Prince had wished to marry her, and may have done so secretly; however this was illegal owing to her Catholic religion.

Henry Holland was soon employed to enlarge the building. The Prince also purchased land surrounding the property, on which a grand riding school and stables were built in an Indian style in 1803, to designs by William Porden.

Between 1815 and 1822 the designer John Nash redesigned the palace, and it is the work of Nash which can be seen today. The palace looks rather striking in the middle of Brighton, having a very Indian appearance on the outside. However, the fanciful interior design, primarily by Frederick Crace and Robert Jones, is heavily influenced by both Chinese and Indian fashion (with Mughal and Islamic architectural elements). It is a prime example of the exoticism that was an alternative to more classicising mainstream taste in the Regency style.
(text from Wikipedia)
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