- Joined
- Dec 11, 2024
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The Grosvenor Casino in Portsmouth first opened in the early 20th century as a grand entertainment venue, serving generations of visitors with music, dancing, and social gatherings. In later decades, it was converted into a casino, with the ground floor filled with slot machines, card tables, and all the usual features of the gambling trade. The upper floors included a ballroom with ornate detailing, a reminder of the building’s more elegant origins. For much of its life, the site was a lively hub in the city’s social scene.
By 2015, however, the casino closed its doors, a victim of changing times and declining use. What followed was nearly a decade of neglect. The once-bright gaming floors became empty and silent, stripped of fittings and left to rot. Damp crept in, pigeons took over, and graffiti marked the walls. The ballroom, once decorated with gold detailing and echoes of music, was reduced to a shadow of itself—peeling, faded, and almost unrecognizable.
The building briefly found new purpose in 2021, when local artist My Dog Sighs transformed it into the setting for a major exhibition. For a short period, creativity returned to the derelict space, drawing in crowds once again. But that moment soon passed, and the casino slipped back into decay.
When I finally gained entry in 2024, it was clear the site was nearing the end of its story. Most potential access points had been secured quickly in previous years, but with demolition now imminent, security appeared less of a concern. Inside, the history of the building was etched into every surface—faded grandeur alongside layers of neglect. Though far removed from its former splendour, walking through its rooms offered a powerful reminder of how central the casino once was to Portsmouth’s cultural and social life.
Soon, the Grosvenor Casino will be gone entirely. Due to development plans to demolish both the casino and the next door bar which is connected to the quwwns hotel. there was also an arson attempt early 2025
all photos here: Grosvenor Casino - Urban Exploration
other explores: Urban Exploration -
By 2015, however, the casino closed its doors, a victim of changing times and declining use. What followed was nearly a decade of neglect. The once-bright gaming floors became empty and silent, stripped of fittings and left to rot. Damp crept in, pigeons took over, and graffiti marked the walls. The ballroom, once decorated with gold detailing and echoes of music, was reduced to a shadow of itself—peeling, faded, and almost unrecognizable.
The building briefly found new purpose in 2021, when local artist My Dog Sighs transformed it into the setting for a major exhibition. For a short period, creativity returned to the derelict space, drawing in crowds once again. But that moment soon passed, and the casino slipped back into decay.
When I finally gained entry in 2024, it was clear the site was nearing the end of its story. Most potential access points had been secured quickly in previous years, but with demolition now imminent, security appeared less of a concern. Inside, the history of the building was etched into every surface—faded grandeur alongside layers of neglect. Though far removed from its former splendour, walking through its rooms offered a powerful reminder of how central the casino once was to Portsmouth’s cultural and social life.
Soon, the Grosvenor Casino will be gone entirely. Due to development plans to demolish both the casino and the next door bar which is connected to the quwwns hotel. there was also an arson attempt early 2025
all photos here: Grosvenor Casino - Urban Exploration
other explores: Urban Exploration -
