Christina and Andrew Brownsword have announced today that the Brownsword Hotel Group is in the process of acquiring The Imperial Hotel in Torquay. They have also disclosed that they will be embarking on a sympathetic restoration and refurbishment project of this iconic seaside hotel over the next two to five years.
The magnificent 19th Century Victorian four-star hotel commands a clifftop position, overlooking Torbay and the beautiful Devon coast. An historic property, built in the town’s Victorian period, the hotel is a reminder of why this part of Devon became known as the English Riviera. The Brownsword family look forward to becoming custodians of this piece of Devonian tradition and building upon its extensive history and reputation.
Andrew Brownsword comments, “We, like many people in the industry, remember fondly the heyday of The Imperial. The hotel benefits from a very special location on the Devonshire coast and we look forward to working with its team to begin the next chapter of its history. We will be restoring The Imperial with the aim that it will become one of Britain’s very best seaside hotels. ”
Martin Rogers, head of UK hotel transactions at Savills, comments: “We are very pleased to confirm that Christina and Andrew Brownsword are in the process of purchasing the Imperial Hotel in Torquay. This is a particular milestone as it marks the first sale within the 10-strong portfolio of regional UK hotels known as Project Solstice, which Savills and Rothschild are marketing on behalf of The Hotel Collection.”
The Imperial Hotel will eventually become, after restoration, the third prestigious Andrew Brownsword hotel in Devon following the celebrated Gidleigh Park and the Royal Clarence Abode in Exeter. This will add a beautiful coastal destination to the growing portfolio, which includes The Bath Priory, Amberley Castle, Buckland Manor, The Slaughters Manor House, Slaughters Country Inn and The Old Swan Inn & Minster Mill.
