19 George Street was remodeled by architect David Bryce,[2] as the headquarters of the Caledonian Insurance Company.

In 1905, the hotel was completely remodeled, with the addition of luxurious public rooms on the ground floor.

The outbreak of World War II prevented a planned expansion, and the offices were requisitioned by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes until 1946.

In 1958, the hotel proposed a 17-story tower wing in the rear, but a public inquiry prevented its construction.

The George Hotel's owners, Grand Metropolitan,[4] eventually built a smaller 7-storey rear wing, designed by Henry Wylie, in 1967.

In more modern times celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Omar Sharif, Jack Lemmon and Kylie Minogue have visited.