The year was 1889, and London was undergoing a dramatic transformation. The London County Council, newly established, had a bold vision: to widen the Strand and initiate the most significant urban renewal since the Great Fire of 1666. Their plans included creating a crescent-shaped street named Aldwych, culminating in a new thoroughfare connecting to Holborn, christened Kingsway. Amidst this ambitious project, one man, Edward George Saunders, harbored his own grand dream. As manager of the Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill Gate, Saunders yearned for a theatre of his own.
A Collaboration Takes Root
Saunders, a man of ambition, sought to realize his aspirations in the heart of this burgeoning development. His entrepreneurial spirit attracted the attention of Thomas Frederick Wild, a chartered accountant with a keen interest in the theatre world. Together, they envisioned a spectacular new theatre in the heart of Aldwych. Wild, with his keen business sense, proposed an addition to Saunders’s plan: a grand hotel to complement the theatre.
A Name with Prestige: The Waldorf
The duo’s chosen name for their venture – The Waldorf – echoed the opulent world of William Waldorf Astor, the then-richest man in the world, who had recently become a naturalized British subject. The name, brimming with connotations of class, wealth, and luxurious hotels, seemed to promise a spectacular success.
However, the road to glory proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Initial share sales lagged, and the partners faced a setback when two other theatres sprung up on either side of their site. Despite the obstacles, their dream eventually materialized, with the Waldorf Theatre opening on the corner of Catherine Street.
A Visionary Architect: Alexander Marshall Mackenzie
The design of the hotel was entrusted to Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, an architect who had gained inspiration from his travels to the United States, where he had witnessed the latest trends in hotel design. Mackenzie sought to create a masterpiece, incorporating innovations like a higher ratio of bathrooms to bedrooms than was customary in Britain. His vision included three grand entrance halls, with the central hall leading to a magnificent Palm Court lounge.
A Majestic Edwardian Jewel
Mackenzie’s meticulous attention to detail transformed the Waldorf into a breathtaking example of Edwardian architecture. The hotel garnered widespread acclaim, with the esteemed Architectural Review hailing it as a “dignified architectural note in the improved heart of London.”
A Grand Opening and a Dazzling Palm Court
The Morning Post, on January 28, 1908, extolled the virtues of the Waldorf in a glowing review. The newspaper enthused about the “spacious Palm Court,” describing it as “a glass-covered courtyard treated as a garden, with a marble terrace around decked with light trellis work of a pattern and color [it was pale green and white] more restful on the eye.”
Modern Amenities and Luxurious Accommodations
The hotel boasted a staggering 400 bedrooms, 176 bathrooms, and suites with sitting rooms and bedrooms, offering luxurious living arrangements. The basement housed a grill room, a restaurant, and Masonic temple rooms, catering to a wide range of guests.
The Waldorf was a pioneer in embracing modern amenities, featuring electric lights controlled from the bedside, a telephone in every room, and a telephone exchange, a revolutionary concept at the time. The public rooms stretched across two stories, with a billiards room, a ladies’ drawing room, and private sitting rooms overlooking Aldwych on a balcony. Two passenger lifts connected the basement to the roof, ensuring seamless access throughout the hotel.
Dancing the Tango: The Waldorf’s Golden Age
The Waldorf became synonymous with dancing, particularly the tango, which gained immense popularity in the 1920s. The hotel even introduced Tango Teas, a unique offering in its restaurant. In 1926, with evening dress mandatory in the ballroom, the Waldorf’s dance scene reached new heights under the direction of Howard Godfrey, a charismatic young bandleader whose Waldorfians became a celebrated orchestra, rivaling the renowned Savoy Orpheans.
Tragedy and Triumph: The Waldorf’s Resilience
The Waldorf faced its greatest adversity during World War II. On June 30, 1944, a flying bomb struck the corner of Aldwych and Kingsway, causing devastation. Despite the tragedy, the Waldorf emerged from the war, welcoming celebratory crowds on VE Day and VJ Day. The hotel, though scarred, remained a symbol of resilience, gradually restoring its grandeur in the challenging post-war era.
A New Era: The Rise of Forte
Despite the hotel’s valiant efforts, the war had taken its toll. Frederick Hotels Ltd., the new owners, faced the challenge of reviving the Waldorf’s former glory. In 1959, Charles Forte, a visionary hotelier who would later become Lord Forte of Ripley, acquired the hotel, marking a new era for the Waldorf. It became the first in what would evolve into the Forte Plc. hotel empire, encompassing over 800 hotels.
A Legacy Renewed: The Waldorf Today
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Waldorf thrived under Forte’s stewardship. In 1992, the hotel underwent a £12.5 million refurbishment, culminating in its grand reopening on its 85th anniversary in 1993.
The Waldorf’s legacy continues to this day, under the management of Hilton Hotels, which acquired the hotel in 2004. A £35 million investment program further enhanced the hotel’s grandeur, transforming the guest rooms, public areas, and introducing a new F&B concept.
The Waldorf, from its humble beginnings as a dream shared by two ambitious men to its current status as a landmark hotel, is a testament to the enduring power of vision, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From its majestic architecture to its rich history and captivating dance halls, the Waldorf continues to captivate and inspire generations of guests, solidifying its place as one of London’s most iconic hotels.
