grosvenor

No idea of the personnel, but I would guess this was taken in wartime UK - possibly London's Grosvenor House Hotel (stabbing a guess at the letters just visible extreme top)?

These go together:

Ah, I see I was right about the location as I just guessed in the accompanying photo!

Grosvenor House Hotel, London, UK?

A similar view in the 1880s before the construction. From State Library of NSW: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemLarge.aspx?itemID=413130

Andy Brill I gave up trying to match it with Googlemaps, I presume we are looking west with Circular Quay off screen on our right? What is the church in the background?

Highranger Yes Circular Quay is to right, and the church is St Phillips on Church Hill.

Andy Brill Highranger Yes, StreetView is no good here - there is an enormous tower in the way. From Phillip Street looking west (see notes). I think they were building the Metropole Hotel which opened in January 1890 - The Grosvenor Hotel (at the top, see note) opened in November 1888 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28339993 - and shows up on the skyline of many old photos. Demolished in 1928 to make way for the Harbour Bridge, but possibly rebuilt as flats in Randwick according to this - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/16478518 - anyone know for sure? Which dates this photo to 1888, as it would have taken a while to complete the Metropole Hotel. Or not?

beachcomber australia Top half of sign is legible on our larger version: "This site will shortly be occupied by a large coffee palace capable of accommodating 300 visitors. ?? Coffee Tavern..." AB