At the time, the opulent Grand Hotel hosted some of the most important celebrities in Poland, notably film starts, artists, musicians and politicians.

The history of the site dates back to 1824–1828, when it was designated in official records and zoning documents as greenfield land to be settled by flax and cotton weavers.

[6] Two years later, Hentschel's factory was destroyed by fire; with no aim at reconstruction, the debris were then bought by Ludwik Meyer and Juliusz Karol Kunitzer, both considered to be textile tycoons.

[7] The Grand Hotel, designed in the Renaissance Revival by chief architect Hilary Majewski, was completed in two years and opened on 9 October 1887 with 45 rooms.

[9] The majority of rooms possessed simple washing basins that had to be manually filled with boiled water brought in jugs or vessels by the hotel staff.

[8] In 1911, a consortium of wealthy industrialists acquired the building from Bank Handlowy in a share buyout, with an aim to modernise it and create a more grand lodging for a growing city.

[13] The new amenities were very advanced for the time and included private bathrooms with regulated hot and cold water, central heating, elevators, a telephone service, a personal room call service, water carbonators,[14] ice-machines as well as a private confectionery store, bakery, restaurant, a Viennese-styled café and a beauty salon on the ground floor.

[22] In 1950, the hotel began to be managed by the Polish travel agency Orbis, which decided to maximise the value of the premises by removing unnecessary fittings or decorations, and increasing the number of rooms available to guests.

[23] In the 1970s, the hotel organised cabarets and dance performances, however, its 'ritzy' reputation began to decline and its halls were no stranger to shadow economy, thieves and prostitutes.

[20] It was particularly known for its protruding façade sculptures, richly-decorated cornices, pilasters, and a roof comprising pediments,[20] possibly inspired by the châteaus of France or by the palazzos of Italy.

[20] The exterior was adorned by elongated corbels below the cornice, reliefs, cast-iron balconettes (Juliet balconies), and its iconic awning (overhang) above the newly-installed revolving doors.

According to Gazeta Wyborcza, the voivodeship's Preservation Office stated that "the developer engaged in a gross violation of [heritage] regulations which led to the loss of historical value".

[33] It comprises two chambers; the Malinowa (Raspberry) – a former ballroom with a balcony and a blend of historical and modern design – as well as the smaller Złota (Golden) Hall that can accommodate approximately 50 guests.

[33] A bistro-type cafeteria offering baked goods, pastries, confectionery, and smaller meals as well as alcoholic (cocktails, spirits, liqueurs, wines) and non-alcoholic beverages.

[11] Moreover, the sidewalk at the hotel's entrance is paved with the so-called Lodz Walk of Fame (Aleja Gwiazd) comprising brass stars with the names of prominent Polish-born actors, cinematographers, film directors and producers.