The Metropole Hotel was built on Brighton sea front on the Kings Road in 1890. The building was designed by Architect Alfred Waterhouse who had also designed the Natural History Museum and University College in London. The cost of production was £57,000 and took four years to complete. The building was designed to look unlike any other on the sea front with its red terracotta façade.

Many famous characters have stayed at the Brighton Metropole over the decades. During both World Wars, several hundred military men were stationed at the Brighton Metropole. During World War II a German plane tried to bomb the hotel, but missed and bombed the nearby park.
During recent years the hotel has changed hands to various hotel groups. The hotel is currently owned by the Hilton Group.

Working alongside Principal Contractor Fileturn, GDL were asked to design, manufacture and install a Louvre Screen System to shield the plant room at the hotel from view of the adjacent roads and pedestrians. Their Screening design had to be submitted to the local planning authority for approval as any alterations must comply with strict building regulations as the historical relevance of this building must be preserved. Their Screening was constructed using galvanised steel posts and a marine paint finish. The marine paint finish ensures that the metal structure does not erode from exposure to sea salt.

GDL’s Architectural Louvre Systems are designed to suit all building types, offering excellent functionality allowing the necessary screening, ventilation requirements, rain defence and aerodynamic performance.