@aleks.london.diary: POV: You just unlocked a hidden magical world in London✨🧚‍♀️ ⁣ ⁣ Originally opened in 1873 as the Midland Grand Hotel, this opulent edifice was designed by the esteemed Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in the flamboyant Gothic Revival style. Its imposing red-brick exterior and ornate carvings were meant to elevate the prestige of the adjacent railway complex ⁣ ⁣ Scott incorporated advanced features for his era: hydraulic lifts, electric bells, revolving doors, fireproof construction, and interiors adorned with gold-leaf walls, granite columns, and lavish lighting ⁣ ⁣ The “Grand Staircase” is a centerpiece: a cantilevered marvel soaring through three floors, adorned with wrought-iron balustrades, rich florals, vaulted ceilings, and starry motifs. It’s among the most photographed staircases in the UK ⁣ ⁣ In Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises (2012), the hotel’s Gothic staircase was used as the interior of Wayne Manor. ⁣ ⁣ The hotel’s exterior is instantly recognizable to fans of Harry Potter—it’s the location where Harry and Ron flew a car in Chamber of Secrets ##london##stpancras##harrypotter##travel##londonlife

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Friday 22 August 2025 10:26:43 GMT