Grandeur

Time was when South Western House was one of the grandest buildings in Southampton, and architecturally it probably still is.
In its heyday though its opulence was geared to the rich and famous as a hotel for travellers. Those who used the new railway connections of almost 150 years ago, and then those who took the great transAtlantic liners and to other places from the port. The city’s main terminus railway station of the time was on its doorstep.
Today, its grandeur is reflected in a ground floor restaurant as the Grand Cafe, while the remainder of the building has been converted to apartments.
My first visit there was for an audition with the BBC which had studios in the building, and having travelled by train to the station which is now long gone. I didn’t get the job!