The Polygon, Southampton

The name originates from a planned grand 22-acre (89,000 m2) development in this area – a twelve-sided polygon that would comprise houses, hotels, assembly rooms and a tavern.

The design was the brainchild of architect Jacob Leroux, who saw it as Southampton's answer to Bath's Royal Crescent.

Construction began in 1768, but only the hotel and three houses were completed when one of the investors went bankrupt and the project stalled.

[2] In the Victorian era, many more houses, typical of the time, were built on the surrounding land, forming the area and buildings known as The Polygon today.

The original Polygon Hotel was demolished in the 1780s; a new Polygon Hotel was constructed in Victorian times, which became a notable place to stay in Southampton, with guests including boxer Muhammad Ali, and comedians Tommy Cooper and Morecambe and Wise.