Eastney’s Historic Royal Marines Museum Sold for Luxury Hotel Makeover
The former Royal Marines Museum and Eastney Fort have been snapped up by seasoned international hoteliers. The sprawling historic site is set for a glitzy transformation into a five-star hotel.
Royal Marines Collection Moves to a State-of-the-Art Home
The National Museum of the Royal Navy finalised the sale this month, transferring ownership to Grand Hotel Excelsior International Ltd. The prized Royal Marines collection has been relocated to a cutting-edge facility at portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where it is already accessible to the public ahead of a brand-new museum opening on the same site.
The Eastney museum shut back in 2017 after experts deemed the ageing building unsafe and unsuitable for modern displays. Dominic Tweddle, Director-General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, explained:
“The decision to close the building at Eastney was not an easy one. It was very close to the hearts of the Royal Marines and local community. But the building’s age meant it wasn’t safe for our historic collections, leaving them at risk of damage or ruin. Plus, the space made modern displays tough and visitor access difficult. The cost to fix these issues would have been astronomical.”
£2 Million Investment in New Collection Centre
The Royal Marines artefacts have now found a new home in the purpose-built Storehouse 12 Collections Centre at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Completed during the first COVID-19 lockdown and partly funded by Royal Marines project donations, the centre offers secure, climate-controlled storage and is open to the public for tours and research from next year.
Dominic added:
“Moving the collection was a herculean effort by staff and volunteers, especially with lockdown announced mid-move. Storehouse 12 represents a £2 million investment, creating a fitting home for our nationally and internationally significant collection. It safeguards these treasures for generations to come.”
Luxury Hotel Plans to Preserve History and Boost Economy
Grand Hotel Excelsior International Ltd will turn the Eastney site into a luxury hotel, retaining the building’s historic charm and iconic features like the Yomper statue at the entrance. Helen Hubbard from the group said:
“Our vision is to redevelop the former Royal Marines Museum into a five-star hotel while preserving its historic attributes and timeless décor. The property will remain a community hub, hosting weddings, conferences, and gala events, creating jobs and boosting local tourism. We’re thrilled to have the support of Portsmouth City Council and the museum trustees.”
Dominic Tweddle welcomed the plans:
“While the building no longer suited a museum, it’s fantastic to see it come back to life as a hotel. The historic fabric, iconic statue, and memorial gardens will be preserved.”
The transformation promises to breathe fresh life into Eastney, balancing heritage with luxury and economic growth.
