Castle Mona Hotel and Pleasure Grounds, Douglas, Isle of Man (Architectural Competition)

Joint Architect   W. H Fletcher, 13, Berners-street, W., John Ladds, 4, Chapel-street, Bedford Row

The Castle Mona Hotel and Pleasure Grounds —In this competition we are informed that the first premium has been awarded to Mr. W. H Fletcher, of 13, Berners-street, W., and Mr John Ladds, of 4, Chapel-street, Bedford Row, W.C., joint architects. [Builder 23 February 1889 page 150]

CASTLE MONA HOTEL AND PLEASURE GROUNDS-The first premium in this competition has been awarded the design by Mr. W. H. Fletcher and Mr. John Ladds, joint architects, of 13, Berners-street, W., and 4, Chapel street. Bedford-row, W.C. Their scheme provided for laying out the grounds with fountains, etc., building a dancing pavilion for 5,000 persons, with promenade, orchestra, refreshment bars, etc., and having a gallery all round. A concert hall for 700 persons, a circus, with seats for 2,000 persons, and the necessary stables to same. The scheme also provided for using the present hotel for refreshments, etc., and for building about 30 shops. [Building News 22 February 1889 page 291]

THE CASTLE MONA COMPETITION - At a meeting of the directors of the Manx Syndicate, held at Castle Mona on Thursday evening, the prizes offered for the best plan of a pavilion, etc., were awarded. The first prize was given for plans sent in by Messrs W. H. Fletcher and John Ladds, of 13 Berners-street. Oxford-street, London; the second prize to Mr Ernest Long, architect, Douglas: and the third to Messrs Mangnall and Littlewood. Manchester- The directors. in arriving at a decision, had the assistance of Mr Waddington, architect, Manchester, and of Mr Robert Cain, architect, of this town: but did not place the awards in the order recommended by those gentlemen. They considered that. In the general arrangement of the estate, Mr Long's plan was the best, and they recommended that he should have the first prize. [Isle of Man Times and General Advertiser 9 February 1889 page 4]

Reference    Building News 22 February 1889 page 291
Reference    Builder 23 February 1889 page 150
Reference    Isle of Man Times and General Advertiser 9 February 1889 page 4