"Built in 1887 by EA Landsdowne. Grade II. This building sits on the site of the most important incident in Newport's history - The Chartist Riots. Demostrators fired on the hotel and soldiers returned fire killing some of the Chartists. Legend has it that holes in the porch columns were caused by Chartist bullets. I would like to believe this, but as the riots took place in 1839 and this building was finished 48 years later it doesn't seem possible. Newport architect Landsdowne was extremely prolific - he built many other large scale commercial buildings like this elsewhere in Newport and other major public buildings in valleys towns, most notably the massive workmen's hall in Blaenavon. This building is typical of his inimitable, mixed rennaissance style with his assured handling of the masses and elaborate detail where the Stow Hill elevation slopes steeply to Commerical Street. Inside there are some well preserved public rooms and a noble staircase."
