Kursaal, Historic amusement park and theater in Southend-on-Sea, England
The Kursaal is a listed amusement ground and theatre in Southend-on-Sea, England. George Sherrin and John Clarke designed the prominent entrance building with its tall dome in Baroque style in 1901.
The grounds opened in 1894 as Marine Park with gardens and a bandstand for visitors. The Pyramidical Syndicate Limited later bought the site and developed it into a large entertainment complex.
The name comes from the German word for spa house, a building type common in 19th-century resort towns. Visitors recognize the Baroque facade with its large dome immediately, while the interior today mainly serves as a grocery shop.
Most buildings currently stand empty and await future use. Access to the grounds is limited, but the listed facade building remains visible from the street.
The band AC/DC photographed the cover of their album Let There Be Rock at this building in 1977. Princess Dinubolu of Senegal competed here in 1908 as the first black contestant in a British beauty pageant.
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