Throughout the 1890’s the Harrogate press had publicized concern that the Spa Rooms, which had been acquired by the Corporation in 1896, were increasingly inadequate for the number of visitors now visiting the town. Doctors of the influential Harrogate Medical Society suggested “the introduction into England for the first time of the Kursaal….” And in 1898 a small deputation left Harrogate to visit European resorts. The council decided to promote the Kursaal project, the heart of the plan being the provision of a new hall which would accommodate 3,000 people. In July 1899, following an architectural competition, a design by Robert Beale, a little known London architect, was chosen, the council having appointed Frank Matcham, an experienced theatre architect, as their adjudicator.
Eventually, the council commissioned both Beale and Matcham to jointly design their continental Kursaal or “Cure Hall”, and after several reductions in scale and cost, the 1300 seat auditorium with encircling ambulatory was opened on 28 May 1903 by Sir Hubert Parry.
Kursaal - Harrogate’s Glittering Palace