More information on the regeneration of london road from the Brighton business forum -

London Road - a diamond waiting to shine

St James Investments (SJI) is a major development company that has bought up large amounts of property along and around London Road including the freehold of Vantage Point and the leases of the business units adjacent to New England House, which are owned by the City Council. What is it going to do with them?


The aim of this consolidation of land and property is to enable St James Investments to prepare a comprehensive mixed-use proposal a large part of London Road and they have now appointed planning and transport consultants, master-planners, a firm of leading architects and Forum for the Future (a leading sustainable development charity) to compose a redevelopment scheme centred around Elder Place.


The provision of office space in the scheme will be informed by the recent Roger Tym and Partners Employment Land Study which identified the need for a further 60,000 sq metres of office space over the next seventeen years and suggested that, as far a possible, it should be concentrated in, or close to, the city centre.


The area on interest for SJI includes the ageing New England House that, despite its rather dated appearance and facilities, is much in demand from new-start and fledgling businesses mainly in the creative industries sector because it is affordable.


The report going to the Council’s Major Projects Committee on Monday 4th February states ;-

“It is possible that further research ….. may also throw up some hitherto unforeseen and unexpected land uses that would add social and economic value. For example, in terms of employment space there may be latent demand for space from outside the standard Financial & Business sectors, which if it exists could have important implications on the nature and quantum of space that could be provided”


The scheme will almost certainly also include large-scale retail with a major food outlet and a department store if traffic and access issues can be resolved. It is unlikely that the road junctions in the area, which currently carry up to 30,000 vehicles per day, could accommodate much increase in traffic without major re-organisation. The Council report also suggests there may be potential for leisure and hospitality.


ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP COMMENT


Since the closure of the Co-Op department store London Road has been recognised as a failing retail centre which will require significant investment to bring about regeneration.


The involvement of SJI, working with the other significant landowner in the area – the City Council – offers an opportunity to satisfy a number of the city’s pressing needs.


Any new retail, leisure and/or hospitality provision in this area will help to pull the street out of the doldrums but such facilities should be combined with a major new office quarter accommodating the burgeoning new media sector centred around New England House. This would have the potential to deliver the employment space that the sector needs together with thousands of workers spending their higher than average wages in the shops and bars of London Road during and after their working day.


Add to all this the provision of additional housing (40% affordable), the completion of the New England Quarter scheme, a new City College building and a re-vamped Open Market and London Road suddenly represents something of a dream scenario ready to be brought to fruition.

Thanks RSWB.
the ageing New England House that, despite its rather dated appearance and facilities
that has to be the most flattering description I've heard of New England House in a long time. I was down there the other day taking a few pics of it. Here you can see the building in all its 'rather dated' glory.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2065/2215545811_9e4fcddbb7_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2181/2214111299_715bd28267.jpg

Walked down to the Marina yesterday. I didn't take any photos of the site - I'm still haven't got a memory card so I can only take 7 pictures! As far as I can see they've built the bridge to the west quay, and have opened up a gate on to the outbound level of the main road in/out of the marina. I feel like I should have taken a pic of it now but I had decided to try and be arty instead so sorry guys. I did take a photo of the pile of wood that's been cleared up from the ship that had to be rescued a few weeks ago. Then I took a photo of Brighton's skyline, followed by a cheesy tourist photo of the sunset and pier.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/RIMG0005.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/RIMG0006.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/RIMG0012.jpg

Apologies if this has been asked about already - just what the status of the Brighton Tower? - according to the SSN site (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4990), all its glorious 158m are still in pre-planning.

Great pics elfabyanos, I especially like the skyline one taken from dukes mound - just think in 3 to 4 years time how that skyline will have changed, we will hopefully have the completed king alfred towers, the i360, and the new tower going up to replace the brighton centre :)

In answer to your question Astounded - plans have not yet been released for the Brighton centre redevelopment but as I understand it standard life are making good progress and plans will be released later this year (not sure when).

The argus printed an early render last year which showed a proposed tall glass tower on the site so we all have high expectations for this development, which is I would say our biggest and most important development in recent years.

Found a couple of new renders for the preston barracks development, which looks to be back on track again fingers crossed.

The overall quality of the design now looks a lot better than the renders from a couple of years ago, here's a reminder of what the scheme will include -


12,000 sq metres of high-quality office space

Landmark residential building

400 residential units, (160 units to be affordable housing)

6,900 sq metres of new retail provision

Relocated MOD facility


http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/imageLibrary/tower-at-dusk.jpg

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/imageLibrary/courtyard-looking-south.jpg

Thanks RSWB. Are there any timescales published for when this project is likely to get underway?

Found a couple of new renders for the preston barracks development, which looks to be back on track again fingers crossed.

The overall quality of the design now looks a lot better than the renders from a couple of years ago, here's a reminder of what the scheme will include -

OMG you mean there was a worse design than this ho hum stuff? It's better than nothing probably, but obviously not tall enough. A residential skyscraper there would have fantastic views of the coast line.

OMG you mean there was a worse design than this ho hum stuff? It's better than nothing probably, but obviously not tall enough. A residential skyscraper there would have fantastic views of the coast line.

Well the height of the tower has been increased since plans were first released back in 2003 from around 15 to 20 storeys, and whilst it would have been a good location for a slightly taller tower I'm not too dissapointed with this proposal as I personally think it's the best out of the 3 different designs that have been put forward for this site.

These were the renders from a couple of years back:

http://static.flickr.com/33/65515123_cbb9bc3930.jpg?v=0


and these were the very early renders back in 2003 -

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/4407PrestonBarracks1_pic1.jpg

Several new buildings have those oversize tops, what's inside?

^^ Plant floors, lift machinery etc.

Thanks RSWB :cheers:

Yet another development planned for the Marina, this time a new 4 star 150 bedroom hotel is proposed.

New hotel plan for Brighton Marina unveiled
By Lawrence Marzouk

A £20 million pound hotel development for the breakwater at Brighton Marina has been unveiled.

The proposal for the western edge of the marina includes a 150 bedroom four-star hotel with shops, bars and restaurants looking out across Brighton beach towards the Palace Pier.

With a new bridge planned from Black Rock and steps from the development onto the beach, those walking from the city to Brighton Marina would no longer have to navigate through tunnels to emerge with a view of a car park and a supermarket.

Part of the building, designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, would be built above the water, with pillars supporting the structure.

The Argus can reveal that Brunswick Developments has submitted a planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council for a building it believes could mark the gateway between the city centre and Brighton Marina.

The bid includes conference and meeting room facilities, a health spa, a bar and restaurant and independent shops.

At least 3,200 new residents are expected to move to the marina in coming years to fill homes that are part of a series of developments.

Brunswick Developments has already received planning permission for the outer area of the marina.

The firm's scheme includes 853 flats along with leisure and shopping space.

Explore Living has also applied to build almost 1,300 flats as part of the "inner harbour scheme", including a 28-storey building.

The Black Rock project, next to the marina, includes an indoor events arena with two Olympic-size ice rinks, shops, restaurants and 111 flats but a planning application for that development has not yet been submitted.

Andrew Goodall, of Brunswick Developments, said his company's scheme would give tourism a boost and provide a more attractive entrance to the marina.

He said: "We always planned to make more of the western breakwater. The views from there are fabulous.

"We believe it complements the existing leisure and commercial offering at Brighton Marina and would be a very welcoming building for those who are approaching the marina from the west."

He said the scheme had been fully tested for the impact of waves, given its exposed position.

Final tests on the designs for the wider project is nearing completion, he added, and building work was expected to start in the near future.

Brunswick has secured a route from Madeira Drive to a compound in the marina where it will be keeping the material it needs for the huge redevelopment.

The hotel is expected to open by 2012 if it is given planning permission.

Mark Jones, the chairman of Brighton and Hove Hotels Association, said he would wait to see the detail of the scheme before commenting on it.

The number of rooms available in the city is expected to increase by 20 per cent over the next four years, according to a recent released council study.

Went down there again today. Would be good if this one gets PP, the entrance to the Marina is awful at the moment - I normally walk in that way. It's going to be great in 10 years.

Great news about the marina hotel, do you think it will be a 5 star, i imagine the views west will be amazing. Is this part of the original Brunswick development or a new proposal? Or is it part of the Asda, McDonalds redevlopment area?
I think its probably a positive thing that Tesco are interested in the old Co-Op site on London Road, perhaps it will be one of thier Extra stores selling everything, not just food, or maybe not even food and just clothes home ware goods etc? Competition for food stuffs would be strong with Audi, Somerfield, Iceland and the Co-Op food store all very close by.
As for John Lewis on the site i think it won't happen because of the area and its reputation.. that said i remember years back when the Brighton station site was first being mooted.. Selfridges were going to open a store there along with the Ice Ring Arena before they decided it should happen at Black Rock.
John Lewis will probably come to Churchill Sq when they announce plans to extend upwards and towards the beach front. I hope the Brighton Centre redevlopment is announced soon, i'm hoping for something at least double the Sussex Heights.
Is House of Fraser still planning to move to the old Post Office/Hanningtons site? Its quite ironic that when Hanningtons went all those years ago they divided the site into smaller units and are now going to have to make them into one again.

I rekon it'll be quite expensive!

Took some photos of under the west pier today. Can't see any evidence of activity - I wonder where exactly they've done the test piling?

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/Image050.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/Image049.jpg

You can see all the old pier furniture that's stored under there as well.

It was a lovely day today - and Chinese New Year celebrations in Preston Street, followed by another beautiful sunset. These pics aren't as good because I only had my phone.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/Image097.jpg

Here's my lousey attempt at the same photo, Taken at 7.45 saturday morning, Not bad for my phone tho ! Its a 5 megapixel samsung g800.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4236/photo0020mc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Im no pro as you can tell but anybody know how i can improve? As you can see the sun kinda messed it up!

Thanks for the photos guys! The West Pier looks so haunting at sunset, will the shell be left even when the Observation Tower goes up or are they taking it all down? Will be such a shame for it to come down even in its current state.

As far as I'm aware they're leaving it in part and removing the dangerous collapsed bit only, any ideas anyone?

BrightonBoi - nice shot though! Better cameraphone than mine, mine is a 2 megapixel. With that shot it's overexposed, so much so that even the glare from the sun is overexplosed - I'm not sure what you can do to reduce that without ending up with a totally black foreground like I did. Pointing at the full sun daytime normally has this effect - mine was quite hidden by clouds at that point to the naked eye, but still overexposed on the pic. Basically I'm not sure!!!

Yeah apart from the sun my photo was quite nice, If you look at the bottom left of my pic you can see some of the wood that was washed up from the ship the Ice prince. Its been put in bags now.

Most of it's down the Marina being chipped, on the photo on the previous page.

You guys might like this - not an angle you normally get - ripe for rendering the new projects on.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/RIMG0003.jpg
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/elfabyanos/RIMG0005-1.jpg

Great news about the marina hotel, do you think it will be a 5 star, i imagine the views west will be amazing. Is this part of the original Brunswick development or a new proposal? Or is it part of the Asda, McDonalds redevlopment area?

It says it will be a 4 star hotel, which is being proposed by the same developer as the outer harbour scheme (brunswick developments), but was not originally a part of their plans, so this is a completely new proposal.


I think its probably a positive thing that Tesco are interested in the old Co-Op site on London Road, perhaps it will be one of thier Extra stores selling everything, not just food, or maybe not even food and just clothes home ware goods etc? Competition for food stuffs would be strong with Audi, Somerfield, Iceland and the Co-Op food store all very close by.


Tescos are planning to open high street department stores in future so this would be an ideal building for them, they would sell fashion, perfume, toys and jewellery alongside food according to this article - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=509754&in_page_id=1770


Is House of Fraser still planning to move to the old Post Office/Hanningtons site? Its quite ironic that when Hanningtons went all those years ago they divided the site into smaller units and are now going to have to make them into one again.

Well if my memory serves me correctly the building that currently houses tk maxx and a few other stores on the corner of ship street/north street used to be a department store called Vokins (not Hanningtons as this was further down north street), in this plan the old post office building would be connected to the old Vokins store making it a pretty large unit.
I do believe a major brand is interested in this site, and it is most probably House of Fraser. :)

Well if my memory serves me correctly the building that currently houses tk maxx and a few other stores on the corner of ship street/north street used to be a department store called Vokins (not Hanningtons as this was further down north street), in this plan the old post office building would be connected to the old Vokins store making it a pretty large unit.
I do believe a major brand is interested in this site, and it is most probably House of Fraser. :)[/QUOTE]

Your right it was Vokins, i used to get the two confused even when they were both still there!

Well if my memory serves me correctly the building that currently houses tk maxx and a few other stores on the corner of ship street/north street used to be a department store called Vokins (not Hanningtons as this was further down north street), in this plan the old post office building would be connected to the old Vokins store making it a pretty large unit.
I do believe a major brand is interested in this site, and it is most probably House of Fraser. :)

Your right it was Vokins, i used to get the two confused even when they were both still there!

Sorry i was trying to use the quote and failing..

Here's my lousey attempt at the same photo, Taken at 7.45 saturday morning, Not bad for my phone tho ! Its a 5 megapixel samsung g800.

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/4236/photo0020mc9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Im no pro as you can tell but anybody know how i can improve? As you can see the sun kinda messed it up!

Thanks for the photo Brightonboi. Your best be for photographing the sun with a phone or small camera is to catch it when it's less intense - either earlier or later as it goes down. A small sensor as on a mobile can not handle such a huge dynamic range.

Well if my memory serves me correctly the building that currently houses tk maxx and a few other stores on the corner of ship street/north street used to be a department store called Vokins (not Hanningtons as this was further down north street), in this plan the old post office building would be connected to the old Vokins store making it a pretty large unit.
I do believe a major brand is interested in this site, and it is most probably House of Fraser. :)

What an amazing location for a quality department store - linking the North Laine with the Lanes. It would improve North street dramatically. The Haningtons units struggle to retain tenants. North Street needs improving though. It is traffic chocked and the pavements too narrow for the amount of people who use it.

Great pictures guys. Was trying to work out where you took yours from Elf? Is it the top of Amex?

Brighton Business have got more info on the City College including a first render. Looks like a superb addition to the city.

http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/htm/ni20080208.846754.htm

Massive redevelopment for City College
City College in Brighton’s North Laine has released more details of their ambitious development plans across four sites in the city.

The £100m scheme will be funded with £80m from the Learning & Skills Council and a further £20m from the sale of existing college buildings including the Connaught Centre in Hove and a terrace in Pelham Street.

The redevelopment of the city centre campus with a new 8 storey and two 5 storey towers being built on the existing car park site was expected but the plans for a study skills centre under the east stand of the new Falmer Community Stadium have evolved into a brand new building.

The proposal is for a glass fronted construction skills centre facing the stadium and connected to it via a walkway. The roof will be grassed to help it blend in with the surroundings and the building will be large enough for students to build an entire house.

Great pictures guys. Was trying to work out where you took yours from Elf? Is it the top of Amex?


Thanks, you guessed correctly, hence everything's slightly more blue than it should be.

Check this out, the brand new renders for the new falmer stadium have been released.
It looks stunning, unlike any other stadium I can think of in the UK.
I love the disguised building to the left of the stadium in this pic with the glass tunnel linking it with the stadium.
:)

Construction work is due to start at the end of the year.

http://xs224.xs.to/xs224/08073/falmerstadiumnew441.jpg

It's going to be great!!!

Will the roof fully close?

The roof doesn't close. It doesn't need to.

The chinese new year celebrations were fantastic last Sunday, the event is now held at the dome and on the streets surrounding it, and is the biggest chinese new year celebration in the UK outside London, something we can all be proud of I think :)


In the news today, the arches underneath Brighton station are to be re-opened to create a new station entrance on trafalgar street.


Facelift to transform Brighton station
By Lawrence Marzouk

A neglected gateway to Brighton will be regenerated in a major revamp.

The scheme will transform the area under the bridge outside Brighton station and reopen a Trafalgar Street entrance to the concourse which has been closed for more than 20 years.

Modern design and historic restoration will be combined to tempt businesses back to arches under the station.

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum and the Brighton Station Wine Cellars currently use the structure but most of the arches have remained empty for years.

Artistic lights will illuminate the dingy stretch of road, the pavement will be widened and a new cycle lane introduced.

The bricked up entrance to the station on Trafalgar Street will also be reopened to cope with the growing number of people using the station.

Brighton and Hove City Council has calculated that one in three people use Trafalgar street to reach the trains.

New outlets, which could include artists' studios, will line the route from the entrance to the station concourse.

The council hopes the new design will attract more people into North Laine and make the area more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.

The first stage of the project will start next week and include widening of pavements and improved crossings.

It is expected to take until early May and the section under the bridge will be closed to traffic from mid March.

Improvement to the structure and state-of-the-art lighting will follow and the council hopes the Trafalgar Street station entrance will reopen by the end of next year.

The scheme is being run by the Railway Heritage Trust, Southern railway, Cycling England, the council and the toy museum.

The total cost is not yet known, but the council is investing £100,000 in the project.

Geoffrey Theobald, the chairman of the council's environment committee, said: "This important project not only benefits rail users and the North Laine area but also represents another significant step towards improving the accessibility and quality of the city for pedestrians and cyclists."

Jim Mayor, the environmental project manager for the council, said: "It should be a really good scheme.

"At the moment, when people come to the station there is nothing to let them know that the North Laine and the Pavilion can be reached from under the bridge."

Last year railway bosses warned that Brighton station was getting so overcrowded it was only a matter of time before people started to get hurt waiting for trains.

Network Rail said trains could be delayed and health and safety rules breached if a revamp of the concourse and platforms was not agreed.

In the next 20 years, passenger numbers are expected to rocket by 26 per cent in the region, pushing the number of journeys to and from Brighton station up by 2.6 million a year.

Also heard in the news today that the king alfred development has been signed off by the council and work will start within the next 12 months (why so long!).

Some renders from different angles to ones posted before -

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_galleries/king-alfred/2.jpg

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_galleries/king-alfred/4.jpg

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_galleries/king-alfred/6.jpg

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_galleries/king-alfred/3.jpg

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_galleries/king-alfred/7.jpg

Another development by karis is this in the lanes area (black lion street), moore house which is being transformed into a modern building housing restaurants (Jamie Oliver is opening a new restaurant here, another restaurant lined up is La Vina), bars and office space (three floors have been leased to spannerworks who are apparently the leader in search engine marketing).

http://www.karis.co.uk/_images/_content/black-lion-street.jpg

Also heard in the news today that the king alfred development has been signed off by the council and work will start within the next 12 months (why so long!).

Some renders from different angles to ones posted before]
Hopefully it will look better than that mess.

Hopefully it will look better than that mess.

IMO the towers are beautiful, are you not a fan of Gehry?

The Bilbao Guggenheim is outstanding, but these renderings make this development look like a shambles ready for demo. Who is paying for it?

deleted

ING are the ones providing the finances for this project. Have to disagree with you on the design, i accept it's a controversial 'love it or hate it' style of architecture but that's what makes it special in my opinion.

I'm with you RSWB, I think the Gehry towers are fantastic. I think it it is such an unusual design that the drawings don't actually do it justice. The models that were on display at Brighton library gave a better sense to me of how the finished building will look.
I suspect that once completed there will be some people who currently hate the building who will actually end up liking it and others who love the plans but hate it when its finished (hopefully not me!)

Originally Posted by RSWB
In the news today, the arches underneath Brighton station are to be re-opened to create a new station entrance on trafalgar street.

Went by yesterday and the pavements have already been dug up and work is well underway. I'm in shock at how quickly it has begun! It would normally take 10 years of debate, arguments and discussion before they even consider starting work :lol:

When is Makes proposal for the Brighton Centre going to be shown to the public? anyone know?

When is Makes proposal for the Brighton Centre going to be shown to the public? anyone know?

Your guess is as good as mine mate, although I'm pretty sure it will be released sometime this year.
I'm getting impatient too.

A good new addition to Jubilee square -

TV chef to open new restaurant in Brighton
By Sam Underwood

Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli is to open a restaurant in a new luxury hotel in Brighton.

The TV cook will bring his popular brand of Italian food to the city to expand his growing empire in Britain and on the continent.

Zilli, who opened his first award-winning restaurant in 1988 and has become known to millions of people through his appearances on reality TV, is the latest in a growing band of celebrity chefs turning to Brighton.

He will run an authentic Italian deli-style cafe and restaurant adjoined to the new myhotel in Jubilee Square.

Zilli Cafe will open on March 18 and plans to serve healthy fast food made from fresh ingredients.

Among the classic Italian dishes on offer will be aubergine parmigana, ammatriciana, bolognese and puttanesca.

advertisement
The 120-seat restaurant, simply entitled Zilli, will open later this summer to coincide with the official launch of myhotel Brighton.

The 80-bedroom boutique hotel will allow guests to tailor their stay when booking, letting them choose from a selection of pillows and even decide what music is playing when they enter their room.

Zilli, who has appeared on Celebrity Fit Club and an X Factor special said: "I think that it is great that myhotels are bringing me back to my roots by the sea, as it's where I grew up in Italy.

"I can't wait to open my new cafe and restaurant and bring my style of Italian food to Brighton."

Zilli, who is an acclaimed food writer and has his own cookery schools in London and Italy, joins other top chefs who have opened up restaurants in Brighton.

Fellow Italian Antonio Carluccio has a restaurant in Jubilee Street and Jamie Oliver will open a pasta restaurant in nearby Black Lion Street called Jamie's Italian in July.

Tony Mernagh, the executive director of the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, welcomed the news that another top name had come to the city.

He said: "Just as Brighton and Hove now attracts world class architects like Jim Wilkinson and Frank Gehry to build our homes and offices and world class companies like Disney and Linden Labs to come and work here it doesn't surprise me at all that we are attracting the world class Aldo Zilli to invest in a city that has more places to eat per head of population than anywhere outside London.

"He will not be disappointed by Brighton and Hove and the new myhotel in Jubilee Square makes the perfect location for him."

Councillor Brian Oxley, the leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "This is another arrival that puts Brighton and Hove on the map.

"I think it will be a terrific draw for people and it shows how vibrant the city is and how people want to invest in it.

"Aldo Zilli will be giving us a taster with the cafe and the main course when the restaurant opens later in the year."

Customers at the Zilli Cafe will get to watch homemade pasta and ice cream being produced in a matter of minutes.

It will have capacity for 30 people, offer dishes to take away and be open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

An interesting feature of the restaurant will be a Hall of Fame wall which will display photographs of Zilli with his many colourful and varied friends.

The new restaurant will serve modern Italian cuisine made from locally-sourced produce where possible.

Among the many dishes on offer will be Zilli's legendary spaghetti with fresh lobster and cherry tomato sauce, gluten-free linguine with monkfish and squid and roast suckling pig with homemade apple sauce.

The luxurious myhotel Brighton has been described by the chain's founder. Andy Thrasyvoulou. as "Where Freddie Mercury meets the Maharishi".

The last major part of the multi-million pound Jubilee Square development, its rooms will be priced from around £140 a night.

It will have four luxurious suites and a penthouse on the top floor and is myhotel's first new-build outside London.

It has been styled by New York designer Karim Rashid who has laid out the reception area to the principles of feng shui and included lavish details such as covering the ground-floor bar in gold leaf.

They mentioned on the local news this morning that there were three new plans for the flats at Medina house on Hove seafront. I didn't catch anymore than that. Has anyone else got any more news on this? I am guessing that they have dropped the plans for the stacked saucer design which would be a shame as that was my favourite new proposal for the city.

Yes there are three renders in the Thursday 28th Argus. Mark Camillion is the architect. They've been clever enough to give three options and recommending the tallest one (which looks about 15 floors) because 'it is thinner so it allows more daylight around itself.' The block will contain 12 large apartments with balconies.

They all look good in my opinion, but they are only outline diagrams, there's no detail yet of materials or cladding.

Thanks pmun :). I'll have to go and buy a copy.

Your guess is as good as mine mate, although I'm pretty sure it will be released sometime this year.
I'm getting impatient too.

Personally if they pull off this project off , if and when they do, it will improve Brightons seafront no end.

Yes I agree. The Churchill Shopping center behind it needs sorting out as well. Would you believe that even though it's the main shopping center of the city, that it is only one storey high from the front! I'm not joking, it's like a big suburban bungalow with huge extension behind it. You could probably have at least 100 flats above it without upsetting anybody.

Agreed the churchill square frontage onto western road is quite embarrassing, it's just way too low rise, thankfully in a council report on the new brighton centre development a few years back it mentions and encourages a height increase at this end of the building to improve the streetscape, I was thinking it would be an ideal site for a major new department store which could be built over maybe 3 or 4 levels above the existing units.

Yes, good idea - John Lewes please. The so called square needs sorting out as well it is badly cluttered with kiosks and raised flower beds. Let's have a proper square with a decent fountain in the middle and space for street entertainers. The mall frontage could be set back to allow for this.

Had a look at the new North Street proposals today in the church there. Nothing radical - but an increase in pavement width is on the cards along with the possible closure of Ship Street to pedestrians. The taxi drivers are not very happy about that! But I welcome it. Put pedestrians first.

When will the i360 ever start? was there again today my mate lives in regency square. nothing ever changes.....

Well they did say spring and it's not officially spring yet so there's still time.

New falmer render -

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2315046354_d0d7e5700e_o.jpg

Well they did say spring and it's not officially spring yet so there's still time.

why does it take forever to build in this country!??? what's wrong now?

why does it take forever to build in this country!??? what's wrong now?

I'll be concerned if it hasn't started by June but for now I'm being patient, I think you have to be in this city.

We have a huge amount of development in the pipeline, it just seems to take forever for things to get going.

It's going to be a wasted opportunity to build a covered stadium with a retractable roof that can be used all weather, all year. :soapbox:

Those roofs cost alot of money, and B&H Albion isn't exactly awash with cash right now. Besides, what else would you use the stadium for?

Those roofs cost alot of money, and B&H Albion isn't exactly awash with cash right now. Besides, what else would you use the stadium for?
Making money by playing in bad weather and using the stadium for other events and venues. This idea works all over the world. How much would such a roof cost?

Making money by playing in bad weather and using the stadium for other events and venues. This idea works all over the world. How much would such a roof cost?

I have no idea how much it would cost, probably more than the club could afford to borrow. It would be nice on cold, windy, rainy days. However, two of the planning conditions which came with the eventual planning consent were clauses limiting the number and types of events at the stadium. I can't remember the exact details, but they would reduce the viability of adding a roof to the stadium. I think they were added to appease the local residents.

Having endured the awful open air "facilities" at Withdean I think most people will be content with just having a roof over their heads rather than the entire stadium.

Who cares what it would cost? Were not getting one so stop moaning and be gratefull for what were getting !

Went down to the Marina today to see if there had been any progress with the Roaring Forties development. The site was completly deserted, all the construction vehicles had gone and even the security guards hut was all closed up.
Trying to the look on the bright side I suppose this could just be the gap between the initial enabling work to provide access to the site and the main contractors starting work. It does seem a bit worrying though that absolutely nothing has taken place so far this year, especially after all the pushing made by the developers to get the plans approved.
Anyway here are the pics I took.

This is from Black Rock and shows the access gate that has been opened through to the West Wall.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2343872182_13270f435e_b.jpg

The now empty site
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/2343044539_10a836595e_b.jpg

This is the new service bridge that will allow access for the construction vehicles onto the marina wall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2343875380_1cf399e8a1_b.jpg

The last time I tried to reach this spot access had been blocked, worryingly the barriers have now been removed and as you can see there are no signs of any work taking place on the beach.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3133/2343876574_c43848a386_b.jpg

Thanks for the update Mark - Worrying indeed, why does everything take so long in Brighton?
The i360 is now due to start in June, another project taking forever to get off the ground.

Oh well while we patiently wait for something to start, here's are a few pics of the new MyHotel, one of the few recent developments in the city that has actually started and is in fact is pretty much finished.

Exterior
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2233/2349627917_3f0e06e0ed_b.jpg

The foyer.(The star on the floor changes colour)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2350463652_d40473f8a9_b.jpg

The hotel bar
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2350462468_e8e3f88b93_b.jpg

Thanks Mark Bton for those. I was there yesterday (Friday), had a coffee in the new cafe there. Not bad, a bit chaotic as it's just opened and a bit cramped. But the food was quite nice, Italian (surprise, surprise).

It's good that new square is finally finished. But it still lacks something. Perhaps a small fountain and some more trees would help as well as more of the empty units further down opening. But I really like how well it connects the swimming pool with the library, cafes and restaurants and the rest of North laine. Good planning.

I can't help thinking if everything was a bit taller though then the square would be bigger - but anything over four floor in that area causes an outcry! Most people just don't realize that low-rise eats land and restricts our movements. This is supposed to be a city center after all.

who designed the Myhotel? (architect)

who designed the Myhotel? (architect)

The architects are RHWL and Wilmott Dixon and it was designed by Karim Rashid.

Pmun - I took the pics on Friday so there was a good chance we were both in there at the same time. We were going to eat in the Zilli cafe but like you say it was packed out and did look very chaotic so we changed our minds and went to the pub instead!

I know what you mean about there being something lacking with the square. The original renders showed a line of trees outside the hotel which I think would help, also once the restaurant opens I guess they will have lots of tables outside which will probably improve the atmosphere.

Well fancy that MarkBton we may have crossed paths.

I thought it odd that for Cafe visitors to access the toilets means going through the small (and slightly pretentious, ever so precious) foyer and through the bar. So in theory a regular geeza who just wants an expensive cappuccino (like me) has to venture into this temple of glitz just to have a pee. I don't mind, but what about the hotel?

You're right, the render does show trees. Will we get them? Probably not as that means detracting from table space and ££££! This is Britain after all. We don't really do squares do we? Rather than space for people to meet up or just be, most squares here seem more geared into making a profit. Look at Churchill Square. Brighton really needs a proper civic space.

How about a big fountain with a statue of prince regent in the middle surrounded by benches and trees?

Never gona happen but lets dream !

Something minimal would be nice. Some jets coming straight out of the ground so people can play and dodge them. They have that in front of the Royal Festival Hall, it really invigorates the space.

The finish is poor around that area with the road clearly separated from pavements even though it's a pedestrian zone! Why couldn't we have had the same as New Road, which is an excellent piece of urbanism.

I am moaning too much!

I do like the hotel. It has clean minimal lines and it's whiteness is very nice, it reflects light into that magnificent library.

You're not moaning too much Pmun, I think you are totally right about the public square. I was up in Birmingham the other day and thier main square (Victoria Square) is great, its modern, has a large central fountain and plenty of sculptures and no shops. Even though it was a cold day there were loads of people there just chilling out and enjoying the space. On the subject of wasted space, Bartholomew Square next to the town hall is another public space which could also do with a make over.

On the subject of wasted space, Bartholomew Square next to the town hall is another public space which could also do with a make over.

Yes, a complete waste. On the edge of one of the most buzzing areas of town and yet it's comparitively dead space. Having a restaurant right in the middle taking up most of the space doesn't help!

I completly agree, Bartholomew square isnt being used to its full potential at present.
It may benifit from them opening of restaurants including jamie olivers new one, in Black Lion street, and that maybe the square should be opened up with better or new entrances, maybe the north west corner could be opened providing a link to the new development in black lion street. at the moment bartholomew square is much like a dead end, with nothing really to attract people into the square apart from the Moshi Moshi restaurant.

Im doing a project on this area of the south lanes as part of my architecture pt 1. what are your opinions on this area? they would be much apreciated.
opening up the square so that the town hall can be viewed from the seafront? removal of moshi moshi? introduction of shops/ cafes around he square to attract the public?
or any ideas of your own?

Can someone tell me exactly where this new stadium for B&HA will be?

Can someone tell me exactly where this new stadium for B&HA will be?

http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/37/dd/0,,10433~122167,00.pdf
try this. you'll find relevant info here

Im doing a project on this area of the south lanes as part of my architecture pt 1. what are your opinions on this area? they would be much apreciated.
opening up the square so that the town hall can be viewed from the seafront? removal of moshi moshi? introduction of shops/ cafes around he square to attract the public?
or any ideas of your own?

I can't see how the square can be opened up to the seafront with that big hotel there. But how about a tunnel under the road directly to the beach? Get rid of Moshi Moshi and relocate it nearby. Put fountains in as a feature, a few trees and benches. Lay consistent paving leading from the nearby lanes with no pavements (New Road style) so people will feel more inclined to view the square as an integral part of the lanes and not cut off. Have cafes around the outside with alfresco areas and clear access to Black lion street (which is already earmarked for new paving).

This is a key area linking the Town Hall, Lanes and the sea front. It should be a main square, not a dead end. Ideally demolish the hotel and build a new taller and more slender one allowing views and access to the front but that would take at least 10 years of public wrangling over tall buildings!

I completly agree, Bartholomew square isnt being used to its full potential at present.
It may benifit from them opening of restaurants including jamie olivers new one, in Black Lion street, and that maybe the square should be opened up with better or new entrances, maybe the north west corner could be opened providing a link to the new development in black lion street. at the moment bartholomew square is much like a dead end, with nothing really to attract people into the square apart from the Moshi Moshi restaurant.

Im doing a project on this area of the south lanes as part of my architecture pt 1. what are your opinions on this area? they would be much apreciated.
opening up the square so that the town hall can be viewed from the seafront? removal of moshi moshi? introduction of shops/ cafes around he square to attract the public?
or any ideas of your own?

Not much more to add than has already been said, other than that as the registry office is there it's a shame that there isn't some sort of fountain or landscaped area that would be ideal for the post ceremony photos. It's all a bit dark, dirty and gloomy and I agree with Pmum (again!) that Moshi Moshi should definitely go to help open up the space.

many thanks for your views.
yes, with moshi moshi where it is it just makes everything behind it wasted and unusable space.
It is a dark gloomy square, the dark green panels that cover the thistle hotel just absorb the light.
The pavement of new road reflects the sunlight, do you reckon that these would light up the square or are they to modern and out of place in this area of the south lanes with older paving bricks rather than the perfect ones of new road?

Oh also, i havnt been living in brighton that long, but in the summer does the shady bartholomew square provide a pleasant shelter from the heat?

The pavement of new road reflects the sunlight, do you reckon that these would light up the square or are they to modern and out of place in this area of the south lanes with older paving bricks rather than the perfect ones of new road?

I'm not entirely sure. I'll have to take a look next time I'm there. I think Black Lion street just around the corner is in line for the same treatment, so it may not look out of place. Of course the hotel is very modern anyway and the old Theatre Royal sits well with the paving on New Road.

Oh also, i havnt been living in brighton that long, but in the summer does the shady bartholomew square provide a pleasant shelter from the heat?

No, I'm afraid not. Not enough trees. Pavilion Gardens is one of the best places for that - a beautiful oasis.

the new road pavement does reflect the sunlight and cause a glare if you are facing towards the sun, however the thistle hotel prevents direct sunlight reaching a majority of bartholomew sq, so i quess there it would have little effect if any on lightening up the sq.

hopefully after black lion st is finished something is done to make full use of what potentialy could be a magnificent public square, would be a shame if not.

thanks for your help

You're welcome. I hope the project goes well

i360 start date suffers setback

Credit crunch delay 'not a major problem'

Miles Godfrey - The Argus Monday, 10 March, 2008

WORK on Brighton's landmark i360 tower has been delayed because of the global credit crunch, the Argus can reveal.

Work was due to start on the 172-metre, £20 million Brighton Eye project at the end of this month.

But it has been confirmed that unsettled world markets have scuppered that timetable and workmen are now not likely to set foot on the site until June.

Chairman of the West Pier Trust, Geoff Lockwood, claimed neither the i360 project nor the longer-term ambition to restore the West Pier had been put in jeopardy.

Mr Lockwood told The Argus: "It's fair to say that the current financial climate has meant we have had to put the work back slightly.

"There has had to be some re-jigging done in terms of finance.

"But we're relaxed about it. It is not really a major problem. Work will still get under way in the early summer."

Mr Lockwood also revealed that talks with an unnamed private sector party had been held over the work to restore the pier.

He said: "We are not talking about long-term - this will happen and will it happen quite quickly we hope. We are very confident."

A spokeswoman for i360 architects Marks Barfield, who also built the London Eye, confirmed that work would not start this month and that it intended to give Brighton and Hove City Council four week's notice before moving on site.

Gary Peltzer-Dunn, chairman of the city council's major projects committee, said: "If Geoff is confident everything is going to go ahead as planned then I am. I have every faith in him.

"We are not connected with the intricacies of the financial structure of the project so obviously we have to rely on what people who are involved are saying.

"But my understanding is that there is no major problem."

Brian Oxley, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said he was not aware of the issue but added: "We've been working very hard with the people behind the 1360 and there was broad support for it among all the political parties.

"I hope work can get started on it quickly because I think the people in the city are excited about it."

The i360 is set to be the country's tallest observation tower, beating Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower and the London Eye in height.

It is being built on the promenade at the base of the West Pier and will offer stunning panoramic views of the Sussex coast and for miles inland.

Work is due for completion in 2009.

http://www.regencybrighton.com/pier/2008/03/10/i360-funding-woes/

Bit of news from the council website about the seafront bandstand.
press release 4 April 2008
Bandstand restoration moves closer
Restoration of the historic Brighton & Hove seafront bandstand has moved a step closer.

Architects DRP, of Brighton, have submitted a planning application, on behalf of Brighton & Hove City Council, for work to restore the Grade 11 listed building back to its former glory.

The application includes change of use of the ground floor and basement from public conveniences and storage, to a restaurant or café.

The top part of the bandstand will be sympathetically restored to stage concerts and other events and the adjoining area improved and enhanced.

The work will be funded by the city council and is expected to cost around £850,000. Income will be generated by renting out the restaurant premises.

Environment councillor Geoffrey Theobald said: “Restoration of the bandstand is a priority for this council so it’s wonderful news that an application has now been submitted which will move the project onto the next stage.

“The bandstand is of historic and cultural importance to our city and much loved by our residents, so we are looking forward to returning this ‘jewel in the seafront crown’ back to its former glory.”

If the planning application is approved, work could start later this summer and should be completed early next year.



http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1185356

A couple of bits of bad news from the Argus. I suspect we will see a lot more of these sort of stories in the coming months with the current downturn in the economy.

Ice rink bid could get big freeze
By Lawrence Marzouk

The Black Rock ice rink proposal is now weeks away from stalling
The multi million-pound plans to build an Olympic ice rink are just weeks away from being dropped.

Developer Brighton International Arena (BIA) has until the end of the month to convince council bosses it has a funding package in place for the Black Rock seafront site in Brighton before the plug is pulled on the project.

The £70 million scheme will include two ice rinks, an 11,000-seat concert hall, a 100-seat cinema, a museum, recording and dance studios, bars, shops and restaurants.

The Argus understands that Erinaceous, the troubled property firm which owns Shoreham Airport, had been in discussions with BIA.

But Erinaceous has seen its share price plummet in recent months and BIA has been forced to find a new financial partner.

The Black Rock developer has now been given until the end of the month to show it has a serious alternative.

David Pople, the company's managing director, would then be handed another five months to firm up the cash and submit a planning application.

He refused to comment yesterday other than to say that the "position was positive".

Garry Peltzer Dunn, chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council's major projects sub committee, said: "Our officers have to be satisfied by the end of the month that the finances are in place.

"We need to move from a possibility to a probability."

The scheme first emerged five years ago and has been hit by a series of delays.

In September 2003, BIA said the arena would be built in 2007.

Mr Pople has argued that many of the delays have been caused by coordinating the inner and outer marina schemes.

Councillors said yesterday they were losing patience and called on the council to take decisive action.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, leader of the Labour opposition, said: "The Labour group is really running out of patience and want to see a robust business case."

Lib Dem Councillor Paul Elgood said: "We are desperate to see progress with this project as we think an icerink is vital for Brighton and Hove."

Erinaceous was unavailable for comment.



Brighton Centre plan runs into trouble
By Lawrence Marzouk

The planned redevelopment of the Brighton Centre is in doubt after the Government pulled vital funding from it.

Business leaders believe the project will be worth £3 billion to the city's economy over the next 20 years and create 1300 jobs if it is completed.

But tonight the scheme suffered a major setback when the Government blocked plans to plug an £18.5 million financial gap in the development's budget.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it was disappointed with the decision and would meet urgently with officials from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, known as BERR, as well as looking at other funding options.

The £400 million scheme includes a major new conference centre aimed at international organisations, a four-star hotel and an enlarged Churchill Square shopping centre.

Government cash is needed to bridge a funding shortfall of £50 million for the £100 million convention centre.

It is bad news but due to the current economic climate it looks like the UK's mini construction boom could well be drawing to a close and developments up and down the country are/will also be suffering a similar fate, although all is not lost, apparently there are other options available to take with regards to the brighton centre development, a slightly more positive article from the brighton business website -

Brighton Centre financial setback
The Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has declined to contribute £18m towards the costs of redeveloping the Brighton Centre - the city’s ageing convention centre.

The £400m project included extending Churchill Square shopping centre down to the seafront and replacing the 20 year old 5,500 seater conference centre with a much smaller venue on the site of the current Kingswest on the corner of West Street.

The local authority owns the Brighton Centre and Standard life Investments own Churchill Square and the Kingswest site. In return for the transfer of the Brighton Centre to Standard Life’s ownership they would construct a £100m state-of-the-art international convention centre.

The project has a funding gap of £50m and the plan was for the Council to borrow £32m and the regional development agency (RDA) – the South east England Development Agency (SEEDA) – to contribute £18m.

However, any expenditure in excess of £10m from the RDA has to have approval from BERR, which has declined to sanction the investment.


BUSINESS FORUM COMMENT


The need for a new convention centre is without challenge either across the political spectrum of the local authority or from the business community. The Brighton Centre is 30 years old and competes poorly with the likes of ExCel and GMEX.

The delivery of this project – the largest the city has seen in recent times – was always going to be complex and difficult.

SEEDA’s contribution was never a done deal and although it is a setback it is likely to be nothing more than that. The prospect of an expanded Churchill Square, with the potential to double the city’s retail turnover, and a new convention centre that could contribute $3 billon to the local economy over the next 20 years is too great to give up on.

It is inconceivable that the sum required – less than 5% of the total – will scupper the whole deal but it might delay it for a few months.


My prediction is that the black rock scheme will be cancelled, and the Brighton centre scheme will be delayed, hopefully by just a few months but I have a feeling it will be longer.

I don't quiet understand why the government should have to pay for what is essentially a private enterprise? Why should we have to pay for a shopping centre and hotel??

Yes I agree. It's not as though Brighton really needs it. It's a very prosperous city. Besides it wouldn't look good for the government to pour money into a conference centre for them to get together in by the sea every year!

This should be virtually self financing like the King Alfred development. There's plenty of space for housing there. In fact planning permission should be easier, given that there are already two towers in the area.

More bad news I'm afraid, it has been reported in the lunchtime edition of the argus video news that the brunswick marina scheme has come to a halt due to the troubled housing market, the developer is now going to review the scheme before deciding on what action to take.
I think there will be a proper article in tomorrows argus.

It seems like all our major projects are being put on hold or cancelled altogether, I can't see the king alfred scheme going ahead either at this rate.

I knew this would happen thats why i never had too much intrest. All i really care about is the I360.... People all over the country will know it as a symbol of brighton along with the pier and royal pavilion.... Lets just hope and pray it goes ahead !

These will go ahead. There's still a lot of money in housing in the long run especially in Brighton. Besides the economy is still buoyant and people still need to live somewhere.

I suspected there was a problem with the Marina plans after my last visit down there showed a complete lack of activity on the site. Here is the full story from the argus website.

Brighton Marina development 'under review'
By Lawrence Marzouk, Local Government Correspondent
The £235 million redevelopment of Brighton Marina is under review because of troubles in the housing market, it has emerged. A feared drop in property prices and a gloomy economy could cut the profit on new homes coming on to the market and put off potential buyers. The team behind the marina plans are now looking in detail at the blueprints to look for ways of ensuring all the properties are sold.

The project is the sixth crucial scheme in Brighton and Hove to run into difficulties in recent times. Andrew Goodall, leading the redevelopment, said preparatory work had been completed but that construction would not begin until he had reviewed the state of the economy.

He added: "We are taking a step back. I would like to see what is happening with the market before we launch the next round of building works . "There is quite a lot of work that is going on behind the scenes. "We had not planned building works for the next six months and it gives us the opportunity to tailor the project that we put into the market." He added that despite the global banking crisis, funding was not a problem and the scheme was still on track.

The Brunswick Development project at the marina, includes 853 flats, some within a 40-storey tower, as well as leisure and shopping space. Last night members of the business community spoke of their concern at the impact Britain's faltering economy was having on the city's flagship schemes.

Tony Mernagh, the executive director of Brighton and Hove Business Forum, said: "Developers usually borrow from different banks for major projects and it will be very difficult for a developer to bring these things to fruition until the credit crunch has been sorted out and banks will part with the cash. "That will delay every project in the country. The question is for how long."

Simon Kirby, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown, said: "Developers are market-driven and if the market is looking shaky you can understand them being cautious. "If they are going to spend hundreds of millions of pounds they need to know they can get the money back."

The question mark over the marina plans comes after five other major Brighton and Hove developments hit difficulties. The £70 million Black Rock plan to build two ice rinks, an 11,000-seat concert hall, shops and restaurants is in doubt over its cost. The Brighton Centre was thrown into doubt after the Government blocked plans to plug an £18.5 million financial gap this month.

The i360 tower has been delayed because of the global credit crunch. Work was due to start on the 172m high, £20 million Brighton Eye last July.

Geoff Lockwood, the chairman of the West Pier Trust which owns the site, said: "The developers are confident on funding and we are still looking at this summer for a start date."

The £290 million King Alfred scheme is running behind schedule. But Josh Arghiros, who is behind the Frank Gehry designed plan, said his confidence, and that of financial bakers ING, had not wavered.

Falmer Stadium has been delayed because of a blunder by former Deputy Prime Minster John Prescott.

However, Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper, said the city remained an attractive proposition for developers.

This marina project will really put Brighton on the map i really hope it isn't being scaled down or cancelled. There is still a high demand for homes in Brighton!

Agreed, there is an extremely high demand for homes in Brighton, so hopefully this will just be another delay.

Fingers crossed.

This marina project will really put Brighton on the map i really hope it isn't being scaled down or cancelled. There is still a high demand for homes in Brighton!

I think you mean there WAS a high demand for homes down here. Prices are already down 10% since last August according the bloke who runs Mishon Mackay.

I'm gutted these plans are being shelved (although I think the eye would have been an eyesore...sorry). Ultimately, if it means people can afford to buy property at sensible prices, then it is a small sacrifice in the long term. Last crash prices here dropped 40-45%, I suspect we'll be looking at at least that this time round as things had got even more out of control.

Expect the King Alfred to go the same way...a developer would have to be completely nutty to build in the current environment...even if they can raise the capital. I blame our planning process, if it wasn't so crazy we'd get stuff built in the middle of cycles, instead of missing out because the cycle ends before it passes through the system.

I predict these projects will go up peacemeal over the next ten years, with the towers scaled down considerably if not scrapped completely...hopefully plots will be retained for the next upturn to develop tall stuff.

Its so frustrating though! I agree with you though, its the planning system evrything takes to long. If the Eye dosn't happen i can take that, in the renders it does look kind of temporary anyway. But the Roaring Forties tower and King Alfred will be a huge lost opportunity if they don't go up. Perhaps the market won't dive as much as everyone fears and, i know the prices won't be as high but there is still a huge semand for property in Brighton, despite what the markets say.

But how long will these developments take to build? 2-3 years? surely by that time all the woes and mass histeria will of gone and we will be back to some normality. So why not build now? it will be foolish to stop now.

Went past i360 site yesterday, Still no action....

But how long will these developments take to build? 2-3 years? surely by that time all the woes and mass histeria will of gone and we will be back to some normality. So why not build now? it will be foolish to stop now.

Yeah I was thinking about this. I'm sure the developers are thinking this too. Problem is, they need hard cash upfront to pay contractors during the 2-3 year build, where are they going to get the funds from? Banks are not willing lenders at the moment, the rates the developers are being offered atm may be prohibitively expensive whilst the banks try to hoard as much cash as possible.

But how long will these developments take to build? 2-3 years? surely by that time all the woes and mass histeria will of gone and we will be back to some normality. So why not build now? it will be foolish to stop now.

The last housing crash started in the late 80s, the market didn't really recover till 1997, so 2-3 years is a bit optimistic, especially as this one has every chance of being even worse. Also, there is more than mass histeria behind what is going on. The numbers regarding property haven't added up for a long time, and the market needs to readjust (and probably overshoot downwards) so that the cost of property is in a sensible proportion to peoples earnings. Until that happens there will be very little building and this illusion of demand will be shown up for what it really is : desire. Brighton is a desirable place to live, but the local economy doesn't support the recent demand that has grown here, and the desirable trophy of a seaside property will be one of the first things the London lot will cross off their list of must haves. With upward of 100,000 redundancies in banking coming our way in the next 2 years, Brighton will be one of the hardest hit places...it was last time.

There is a difference with last time and that's the higher proportion of buy-to-letters that'll get pinched. It feels that Brighton is the letting capital of the planet sometimes (I know it isn't but...) and whilst I agree two-house Londoners will stop demanding properties and reduce prices that way, I can't help thinking that it will not have that great an effect except at the higher end of the market. The vast numbers of young first time buyers having been blocked by the credit crunch is going to be more of depreciative factor. But this isn't going to change the demand - they still have to stay here and rent because that's where their jobs are (and also Brighton rules!) - absolute demand is therefore little changed. Plus, there were 40 million eastern europeans renting here a few weeks ago and they've suddenly all followed the work home to Poland etc. This I suggest would have as much a depreciating factor through lower rent yields as the smaller numbers of London super rich. Personally, I'm hoping that the market readjusts a little further so that I myself may have a chance of getting on the ladder here, but I don't hold my breath it'll be that easy no matter what transpires.

Personally, I'm hoping that the market readjusts a little further so that I myself may have a chance of getting on the ladder here, but I don't hold my breath it'll be that easy no matter what transpires.

I wouldn't buy until the market has been flat for at least 6 months. The fairytale of buy to let landlords having all those desperate first time buyers paying their mortgages won't stack up. Firstly homeowners who have to sell and can't are putting their houses into the rental market, secondly the economy is slowing and this will lead to redundancies, people who don't have money can't rent, thirdly, the rents of the locked out first time buyers won't cover the interest on the BTL properties, so many of these landlords will go bust, and the banks won't hesitate in repossessing these properties.

I can remember the last crash from bubble to despair very well, and believe me, the signs this time are for something worse. The speed at which prices are falling now is quicker than at the beginning of the crash in the 80s/90s, and twice as quick as the crash in the states. It took a year for the US figures to go year on year negative, but it's only taken 6 months here, and the prices in those figures are before the mortgage market shrank. This spring is going to be absolute carnage in the housing market, of that I am certain...I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I am sitting on a very nice deposit and will continue to do so until the market is completely settled, and that won't be for at least another 18 months.

the only reason they are even having to step back in brighton is because it took how long for the council to approve the scheme??? brighton could end up getting absolutely none of the proposed developments because local nimbys delayed them for so long.

I wouldn't buy until the market has been flat for at least 6 months. The fairytale of buy to let landlords having all those desperate first time buyers paying their mortgages won't stack up. Firstly homeowners who have to sell and can't are putting their houses into the rental market, secondly the economy is slowing and this will lead to redundancies, people who don't have money can't rent, thirdly, the rents of the locked out first time buyers won't cover the interest on the BTL properties, so many of these landlords will go bust, and the banks won't hesitate in repossessing these properties.

I can remember the last crash from bubble to despair very well, and believe me, the signs this time are for something worse. The speed at which prices are falling now is quicker than at the beginning of the crash in the 80s/90s, and twice as quick as the crash in the states. It took a year for the US figures to go year on year negative, but it's only taken 6 months here, and the prices in those figures are before the mortgage market shrank. This spring is going to be absolute carnage in the housing market, of that I am certain...I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I am sitting on a very nice deposit and will continue to do so until the market is completely settled, and that won't be for at least another 18 months.

Much as I agree with you, I do think alot the negativity is due to people believing what the paper's and media tell you. They want a story and this so called recession which actually has not happened yet is just another example of how the press prempts disasters because its a good story, it sells papers.
Once they have succeded they will then go on about the misery of homeowners and people out of work then look for a glimmer of hope that there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Much as I agree with you, I do think alot the negativity is due to people believing what the paper's and media tell you. They want a story and this so called recession which actually has not happened yet is just another example of how the press prempts disasters because its a good story, it sells papers.
Once they have succeded they will then go on about the misery of homeowners and people out of work then look for a glimmer of hope that there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Totally agree. What amazes me is how many of us swallow it every time. It's very difficult to get accurate news. As far as I gather house prices have fallen 1% in the last year (according to Nationwide). That's hardly enough to claim that these projects won't get built.

The economy is buoyant. Take a look in the high street and restaurants - they're packed.

Secondly there is a drastic housing shortage in the UK (one million homeless children according to Shelter). So what ever happens we need housing and by building tall these developers (Brunswick and Karis) are keeping costs down.

Don't worry - Marina and King Alfreds will happen eventually.

Large - yeah, 18 months is what I was thinking too!! I'm extremely nervous about any mortgage investment because my own Dad was caught in negative equity in Brighton the last time, and still lives in his in-laws house today - he has never financially recovered. So it's very close to home for me all this.

Much is the same as last time, but then again much isn't. All I can say is my opinion which is everything is in a readjust at the moment, currencies, oil, credit and housing. I feel it will be a steady but slow stagnation for the next year in the housing market. Rental prices will come down a lot (apart from for me as I have a private land lord who is old enough and wise enough to set his rent increases to a longer term constant and very pleased I am too), as buy-to-letters drop like flies. But it could tip over into a full-on recession if the banks don't get their act together and the USA continues to nose-dive.

Anybody here been to R.D.F ? Went there last night and watched the show! Real nice but the drinks are expensive... If youv'e not been i recomend it !

What does R.D.F stand for?

The tom tom club at the udderbelly is brillant. crazy aussie's beatboxing, scratching and doing acrobatics - mental combination!

Saw Ed Byrne at the Udderbelly last night...split my sides.

http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/37/dd/0,,10433~122167,00.pdf
try this. you'll find relevant info here

Ta very much. Out of town dealie I see, thats a shame. But a new train link? which is good.

What does R.D.F stand for?

Not a clue. But its a strip place in preston street

It looked closed the other day when I was in Medusa over the road.

It looked closed the other day when I was in Medusa over the road.

I go there often. I hate there toilets tho, You have to go down steps and last time i was pretty tipsy and almost broke my neck !

Is anything being built in Brighton or has it just stopped??

Well apart from the new england quarter (one brighton scheme) there's not much under construction at all currently.
The inner harbour marina project still seems to be on track as far as I can tell, determination by the council is due sometime in summer.

I go there often. I hate there toilets tho, You have to go down steps and last time i was pretty tipsy and almost broke my neck !

me too, it's just round the corner from me.

Finally a bit of good news, construction is to start on the i360 within the next few weeks. :)

Brighton Eye moves step closer
By Andy Chiles

Building work is to begin finally on the Brighton Eye over a year late and after a succession of false starts.

The developers behind the i360 seafront viewing tower have begun to put in place agreements which will enable them to commence construction within months or even weeks.

It is a boost to Brighton and Hove after a period of uncertainty about major projects planned for the seafront.

advertisementThe developers behind schemes at Brighton Marina, the King Alfred site in Hove, the Brighton Centre and Black Rock have all been forced to look at their plans again because of the credit crunch.

Architects Marks Barfield, who were responsible for the London Eye, were given planning permission in 2006 to build the i360, a 172m high needle tower dubbed the "stick of rock" with an ascending and descending donut-shaped viewing platform.

Now notices have been issued by the Department for Transport (DfT) to enable work at the development site at the land end of the wrecked West Pier.

Members of the West Pier Trust, which had previously campaigned to rebuild the pier but now back the i360, said the move was very positive news.

Where’s the finance comeing from to build the i360 anyway?

Finally a bit of good news, construction is to start on the i360 within the next few weeks. :)

Great news RSWB! I'd kind of reach a point of believing that nothing was ever going to get built. Almost time for some dancing bananas!

me too, it's just round the corner from me.

Regencey Square by any chance ?

^^ Wrong entrance to the pub ;)

on what page was the render for the i360 posted? ive forgotton what it looks like a bit...

going to brighton tomorrow to check out the institute of modern music and to have a look around.. never been before but it sounds great. wish me luck.

Here are some images of the i360
http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/tower.jpg

http://www.westpier.co.uk/I360/images/image3_bg.jpg

Hope you have a good time wondering the streets of Brighton, although it looks like it's going to be pissing it down all day.

ahh it looks quality...i stayed in the holiday inn right next to it, and fuckin loved brighton, its way bigger, more fashionable, and quaint than i ever imagined. i could easily live there i love the never ending streets.

Glad you enjoyed your stay, if you do decide to move here you'll be living in the happiest city in the UK, according to a new survey ;)

From Sky news:

Brighton: 'The Happiest Place In The UK'


Brighton is the happiest place to live in the UK, according to a survey.

A poll found almost 94% of people living in the seasise city have a happy home.

Belfast came bottom of the list, with 70% of people living there saying they were happy.

Cardiff was the happiest place in Wales, while Edinburgh was the top place in Scotland with a happiness rating of just over 91%.

The study, commissioned by O2, claimed there are seven key factors to having a happy home.

These included living in Brighton, being aged 45 or over, being married, having two or more children, earning between £25,000 and £34,000 a year and having friendly neighbours.


Charlotte Barrow, from VisitBrighton.com, said: "We're not surprised to hear that Brighton has the happiest homes.

"We have all the benefits of living in a city - such as the culture, shopping, restaurants and nightlife - with the added bonus of being by the sea which keeps us relaxed and calm.

"Also, as Brighton is a compact place, people generally walk around.

"This means they get to know their neighbours, adding to the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of the city."

Ben Renshaw, director of the Happiness Project, said he devised the formula which unravels the mystery of what makes a joyful home.


He said: "With 90% of people stating that their home environment has a positive impact on their happiness levels, it is clear just how important it is to maintain a happy home.

"Whether it's trying to argue less with those we live with, giving our homes a good spring clean every now and then or making sure we have a spare bag of sugar for a neighbour in need, it can bring us one step closer to feeling better about the place we live."

The UK's 'happiest' places:

1. Brighton - 93.8%
2. Leeds - 91.9%
3. Edinburgh - 91.3%
4. Cardiff - 90.2%
5. Plymouth - 88%
6. Birmingham - 87.2%
7. Liverpool - 87.1%
8. Sheffield - 86.1%
9. London - 84%
10. Southampton - 83.8%
11. Manchester - 83%
12. Bristol - 81.7%
13. Glasgow - 76.7%
14. Nottingham - 75.4%
15. Newcastle - 75%
16. Coventry - 75%
17. Belfast - 70.6%

Stay away...there's too many here already. Everyone here's miserable alright...I mean like everyone, it's totally horrible living here, Milton Keynes is better by far, go there.

what are you on about?

No way. I really like how loads of people come here (house prices aside). It feels like everyone is coming down just to have a good time and live their life. Its one thing I really like about the place.

I was kidding. Brighton's awesome, and I love it because there is a great buzz about the place, but the local council doesn't invest in services adequately and compared to the rest of the country we have missed out on a construction bonanza so are woefully understocked when it comes to good quality housing supply. However, I think that will change in the coming months as the service industry is taking a huge knock at the moment, and the job situation in Brighton is never that brilliant when it comes to decent incomes, so I expect property will continue to fall at the incredible rates it has been falling over the past 6 months (15-20% already according to an estate agent from Connells). Detached houses are down nearly 30% from peak prices in Hove. I have never seen anything like it and I lived here through the last property crash when prices fell 40%. We could be looking at 50% this time.

I think Brighton's Great too but it always looks a bit rundown and a bit tatty. I think the council should really start spending more on the upkeep of the fantastic waterfront too which always looks like its going to rust away a bit like the west pier has which is quiet frankly a disgrace.

The black rock arena scheme is still on track according to developers.

Argus article -

Brighton ice rink project 'still on track'
By Lawrence Marzouk, Local Government Correspondent

Developers behind long-delayed plans to build an Olympic ice rink in Brighton have been handed more time.

The scheme was on the brink of being dropped after it emerged that the Brighton International Arena (BIA) had lost its financial backers.

But Brighton and Hove City Council revealed yesterday that the developers were making progress towards securing a new funding package for the Black Rock seafront site in Brighton.

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The announcement was made by council leader Mary Mears at the city's first cabinet meeting.

She said: "Although Brighton Arena Ltd has made significant progress towards securing a new lead investor they have not been able to complete all the required documentation in the timescale allowed by the policy and resources committee on April 3, 2008.

"They are now in the final stages of transferring funds to fully fund the project, which is much more than the council was originally seeking." A decision on whether to give developers another five months to submit a planning application will be made on July 10.

The £70 million scheme will include two ice rinks, an 11,000-seat concert hall, a 100-seat cinema, a museum, recording and dance studios, bars, shops and restaurants.

The council also hopes the arena could act has a replacement venue for conferences while the Brighton Centre is being redeveloped.

The Argus understands that Erinaceous, the troubled property firm which owned Shoreham airport, had been in discussions with developers but the firm hit financial trouble in April and the BIA team has been forced to find a new financial partner.

The Black Rock developer was given weeks to show it had a serious alternative before the plug was pulled. In April, David Pople, the company's managing director, submitted details of its funding package.

Mr Pople said the recent delays had been caused by the turmoil in the financial markets but he was confident the scheme would go ahead.

He said: "It will happen - I am not going to let six years of hard work disappear. We hope to move forward very quickly. From my point of view, the situation is very positive and encouraging.

"When we will be in a position to make an announcement everyone will be very excited.

"It is the biggest project in Brighton in terms of what it will do for the city."

In September 2003, BIA said the arena would be built in 2007.

There's been talk of this for years now, and I am 100% in favour but I seriously doubt a monorail scheme like this would ever be considered to be a realistic or more importantly feasible option to fulfill our dreams of a mass transit system in B&H.

I don't know maybe I'll be proved wrong, lets hope so.

From the Argus -


Brighton-Shoreham monorail plan back on track
By Lawrence Marzouk, Local Government Correspondent


The monorail scheme would connect Brighton Marina to Shoreham harbour
The route of a proposed monorail for Brighton and Hove has been revealed.

The futuristic transport system is planned to link Brighton Marina to Shoreham harbour under a multimillion-pound scheme.

The trains would connect the marina, Palace Pier, Brighton Centre, King Alfred, Shoreham harbour and Shoreham airport.

The first phase is estimated to cost £20 million, half of which would be provided by the monorail constructors, and connect Brighton Marina with the Brighton Centre, via the Palace Pier.

A second phase would extend the service to Shoreham airport and is seen as key to the redevelopment of Shoreham harbour.

Trains would glide along the track at just under 40mph, linking the marina to the pier in three minutes.

The team behind the bid has held a series of meetings with Brighton and Hove City Council and the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The scheme was sidelined in 2005 under the previous Labour administration, with both the council and developer blaming each other.

Instead, proposals for a bus-based transport scheme, which will run along a similar route, have been pursued.

However, Conservative councillors and James Brathwaite, chairman of Seeda, have expressed support for the project.

Seeda believes a monorail could unlock the huge development potential at Shoreham port, which is earmarked for up to 10,000 homes.

Developer David Courtney, who is behind the plans, said he had yet to receive firm backing from the council but is to make a presentation to senior figures in the next two weeks.

He said: "To get the investment, we need to show the support of the council.

"People are very, very positive about the scheme.

"The scheme has to work in line with the buses but Brighton Marina needs the monorail like Canary Wharf needed the Docklands Light Railway. If we are going to build in Brighton Marina, Black Rock and Shoreham harbour we need a monorail even more.

"With the Government calling for sustainable transport and the price of oil so high, a monorail is the answer."

Unlike many monorails, the scheme will not involve tracks raised into the sky and is likely to run near the Volk's Railway.

Mr Courtney estimates it would run until 3am at the weekend and carry 1.6 million return passengers a year.

He plans to produce a feasibility study for the full route once council backing has been secured.

More bad news, the king alfred project now looks almost certainly dead in the water.

From Argus website -

Credit crunch puts King Alfred in doubt
By Lawrence Marzouk, Local Government Correspondent

The future of the controversial King Alfred redevelopment was thrown into doubt tonight.

Josh Arghiros, the managing director of developer Karis, said the financial viability of the scheme was looking "very shaky" because of falling house prices.

A review of the scheme has been launched by Karis and Dutch bank ING, the scheme's financial backing, and is expected to conclude in the next three weeks.

The possible collapse of the project follows the redevelopment of Brighton Marina being put on hold because of the worsening economy.

Tonight Mr Arghiros revealed ING had yet to decide whether it would press ahead with the scheme.

The £290 million Hove seafront development is the latest in a series of major projects in Brighton and Hove to be hit by the economic downturn.

Profit margins are being squeezed by falling house prices while uncertainty about the future course of markets has made financiers more weary of embarking on major building programmes.

The King Alfred scheme, which was given planning permission last March, features 751 homes in 11 buildings, including two towers of up to 98 metres in height.

We can thank our crap dithering council for all this. If it wasn't for them we would have at least one or two scrapers u/c by now. Forget anything for a number of years. The price of properties in Brighton is going to go through the floor (it did in the last crash)...maybe 50% falls in some cases...what developer in his right mind would plough money into the city at the moment. Nightmare. At least I'll still be able to go swimming every morning though.

Agreed, the council have taken way too long deciding on major projects and now it looks like we have missed out on what could have been an exciting period for the city, however there still remains hope for the i360 and the inner harbour development which still seem to be on track according to the Brighton economic partnership website -

http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/htm/ni20080702.292329.htm

King Alfred delayed
The developers of the Frank Gehry designed King Alfred scheme in Hove are reviewing the project in the light of the current economic climate. What does it mean for the other developments planned for the city?



Like most developers across the UK, Karis/ING are trying to second guess the extent of the current decline in house prices which are key to the success of the 751 home project.


Karis is still committed to the scheme but ING Bank is reviewing the finances to gauge its viability before commencing building work, which was scheduled for February 2009.


ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP COMMENT


Practically every development proposal in the UK of any value is being reviewed at the moment and this is especially the case where projects have a large residential element. House prices are over 6% lower than this time last year and there is no indication of how far they will fall. Under these circumstances developers are not encouraged to start laying bricks.


Brighton & Hove had a somewhat unenviable reputation for taking a long time to develop key sites e.g. Jubilee Square and the Station Goodsyard took literally decades but their eventual development has started a momentum that we must maintain.


Although the King Alfred development joins the Black Rock Ice Arena and the Brunswick Marina scheme on the list of projects with a question mark over them not all of the proposals in the pipeline are on the same list.


The Community Stadium and the Brighton Eye are more or less on track and the Explore Living plans at the Marina are likely to start quickly if planning consent is granted later this year.


Explore Living is an arm of Laing O’Rourke Group which is one of the largest privately-owned construction companies in the UK. Being privately owned it doesn’t answer to shareholders. Also it is cash rich and, unlike many firms, it employs its own workforce and they have their own manufacturing and plant capabilities. It is one of few "total solutions" companies that can take a large scale development from inception to design to construction to maintenance without the need for external partners.


If planning consent is granted, their £300m proposals for the inner harbour at the Marina could be the development that keeps our momentum going.

Agreed, the council have taken way too long deciding on major projects and now it looks like we have missed out on what could have been an exciting period for the city, however there still remains hope for the i360 and the inner harbour development which still seem to be on track according to the Brighton economic partnership website -

http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/htm/ni20080702.292329.htm

Actually, the only project I've hoped would get cancelled is the i360. Great idea, wrong location. In the marina it would work well, but not in front of the Grand. unfortunately, unless the developers are heavily exposed to the property market, I think it will go ahead.

in front of the grand?!

its going where the west pier attached to the prom/land

in front of the grand?!

its going where the west pier attached to the prom/land

Alright, not exactly in front of it, but in that general area. I just think it will look silly there.

Awesome news for those like me who have moaned about the state of the bandstand for years (especially after they spent hundreds of thousands on the boules thing):

http://www.theargus.co.uk/display.var.2382557.0.new_beginning_for_brighton_bandstand.php

From the AJ.


'Gehry's King Alfred exit 'breaches Section 106 agreement'

Karis, the developer behind the controversial King Alfred development in Hove, has been accused of breaching its Section 106 agreement after confirming that Frank Gehry has left the scheme.
Last week, Karis boss Josh Arghiros ended months of speculation about Gehry's role on the £290 million seafront development by announcing that the project had been handed over to executive architect HOK. Speaking to the Brighton Argus, Arghiros added that he had not spoken to the Canadian architect 'since just after Christmas'.

Now, local anti-development campaign group Save Hove has claimed that Gehry's exit contravened a clause in the Section 106 agreement between Karis and Brighton and Hove Council, signed last July.

The clause reads: '[The] developer hereby agrees it will use reasonable endeavours to retain Gehry Partners and HOK as project architects.'

The news alarmed CABE. The body said it stands by its 2006 design review of the leisure centre and 750-apartment plans, which stated: 'It is essential that the care of architectural thought is carried through to detailed design and implementation, so we are pleased to note that the architect will be retained throughout the process.'

However, Karis spokeswoman Heather Price was 'not overly concerned' by the accusations. She said: 'It has always been our intention that HOK would take the scheme forward and the council was aware of that.'

'The difficult thing for Gehry was the way the British system works. He would want to develop the design until it started on site. [But] we just don't have that flexibility,' she said.

Author: Richard Waite.

ING has pulled the plug on King Alfred. I lost interest in this one when I realised Gherry was no longer a part of it. So I'm not that dissapointed to be honest. I could imagine a lot of value engineering going on.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3555629.King_Alfred_in_doubt_after_bank_drops_out/

The Brighton business website offers a glimmer of hope for one of our proposed major developments -

Explore Living’s Marina plans could buck the trend
At a time when it seems developers are mothballing projects and hanging up their hods until the economy recovers, the proposals for the inner harbour at the Marina could prove to be the development that maintains Brighton’s momentum.

The list of projects that have stalled, suffered delay or simply been put on ice has been widely reported over the past couple of months – the Brighton Centre, King Alfred, Black Rock etc etc.

But Explore Living – the housing arm of the giant Laing O’Rourke construction company – claims convincingly in its latest July newsletter that it is ready and eager to start building if its plans for the inner harbour at the Marina get planning consent.

The parent company has a directly employed construction workforce of nearly 19,500 people (many construction companies rely heavily on sub-contracted labour) and consequently has a greater interest in supplying them with work even in times of economic downturn.

More importantly it is a privately owned business – one of the largest in Europe – and so does not have to answer to shareholders or have the same regard to market sentiments and, with £477m in the bank and an order book in excess of £10bn, it is cash rich so it is less exposed to the turbulence in the banking sector that has seen schemes like the King Alfred lose the backing of ING Bank (see earlier story).

It is also a truly international company with major projects across the globe, many of them in countries that are not affected by the global economic slowdown e.g. Dubai, India and the Emirates.

With the Brunswick development on hold (see earlier story) the Explore Living scheme represents the city’s best bet for transforming the Marina into a credible addition to the city’s destination offer at any time in the near future. It will also supply 520 desperately needed affordable homes at a time when house building has hit the doldrums.

It looks like Explore Living has the plan, the money, the expertise and the enthusiasm. All they need now is permission.

Here is the July newsletter for the Brighton marina scheme from explore living -http://www.brightonbusiness.co.uk/secure/assets/ni20080809.469564_489d9f9c1525c.pdf

Jobs safe as Amex stays in Brighton
Saturday 6th September 2008

By Lawrence Marzouk

More than 3,000 jobs have been safeguarded after one of the county's largest employers committed its long term future to the area.

Fears American Express would quit its European customer service headquarters in Brighton have been laid to rest after the firm revealed it was to redevelop a new building behind its existing base.

A team of Brighton and Hove City Council staff, councillors and business leaders have spent the last three years negotiating with the firm to secure its future in Edward Street.

The Argus understands Brighton and Hove’s biggest private employers had considered moves to Crawley, Exeter, Scotland and mainline Europe before opting to stay on the Sussex coast.

It means that Amex will continue to employ 3,000 people in Brighton and contribute £300 million a year to the city’s economy - 7% of the total.

The news is a huge boost to business in Sussex after a string of multinational companies have shed hundreds of jobs in the last year.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of Brighton and Hove Economic Forum, said: “It is not just the money that Amex’s brings - if they had decided to leave that would have sent a message to other international companies that Brighton can’t handle it.

“This is the best piece of news we have had in the last few years, especially with the delays and disappointments with other developments.

“This is a company that could go anywhere in the world and they will go where there is the best deal.

“So the decision is testament to the fact the city is a place to build and a place which offers the right work force.”

Councillor Ted Kemble, cabinet member for enterprise, employment and major projects, said: “This is very good news in the current economic situation.

“One of the councilís key priorities is growing the economy and providing first class office facilities is key to this.

“We will be doing all we can to make this happen in order to benefit local people.”

The credit card company intends to apply for planning permission to build a 265,000sq ft building behind Amex House, which is roughly the same size as the new development.

Following a public consultation in October it will submit a planning application in the first quarter of next year.

Amex hopes the council’s planning committee will agree to the proposal in early Summer 2009.

A spokeswoman for the firm said it did not know when the new building would open.

She added the future of Amex House, which has been a landmark on the Brighton’s skyline since it was built in 1977, had not yet been decided.

The firm said it did not intend to increase the number of employees at the office and the Burgess Hill centre would not be affected by the plans.

Senior Amex figure James Crotty said: “Our current and future plans represent a major investment in creating the best possible working environment for employees in our Brighton service centre.

“American Express is strongly committed to investing in growing its business and in investing in its service delivery centres to best meet the needs of its customers around the world.”

Drugs manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline announced in July it was cutting 650 jobs by closing its Crawley site from the end of 2011.

Some 600 jobs at Equiniti, Britainís biggest share registration company, are under threat at its head office in Lancing.

And Gatwick economy is facing threats to almost 1,000 jobs.

Siimon Burgess, former city council leader, led discussions with Amex for the council from 2005 to 2007 when they were deciding on their global investment strategy.

He said: “In these difficult economic times this is a massive vote of confidence in their Brighton staff who face tough competition from around the world.

“This vital decision shows how impressed Amex were with the vision that we showed them for a cosmopolitan city with international stature.”

Finally some good news for my home town!
I didn't think there was much space behind the Amex building apart from a car parking area. Anyone have any clues as to how high this new building will be?

Also, am I right in thinking that King Alfred id off? (Such a shame, Frank Gehry's pavilion in Hyde Park is stunning, I was really looking forward to seeing these towers go up on the seafront and I’m sure they would have been just as spectacular)
The Roaring Forties Tower.. Is this off or on hold due to the current climate? (another annoying loss, if they hadn't waited around for so long they could have sold all the units off plan and the tower could have been rising now)
The Brighton Eye.. Has this been put on hold?
Brighton Centre/Churchill Sq any news on this? I thought the centre had closed but saw that one of the Unions had a conference there this week so it must still be taking bookings..
It's a real shame that Brighton didn't get one 'big' development completed in building boom the rest of the country had these past years.

It is a pity, they were all so close, but you never know the phoenix will rise from the ashes again, this time the buildings all have planning and could go up very easily.

Finally some good news for my home town!
I didn't think there was much space behind the Amex building apart from a car parking area. Anyone have any clues as to how high this new building will be?


Re the good news - A multi million pound refurbishment has been underway for six months, and this had been planned and confirmed well over a year ago - pouring millions into a building is a pretty good sign that you're already committed. I'm not sure what the Argus is getting excited about.

Walked past the marina site last week, Deserted. No action on the i360 either.

Looks like were stuck with sussex heights for now,

http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/3480/11092008282da3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img397.imageshack.us/img397/11092008282da3.jpg/1/w2592.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img397/11092008282da3.jpg/1/)

Seagulls stadium delayed by a further year "for reasons outside of teh club's control" according to BBC breakfast news south east (thingy programme) this morning.

i360 delayed but will go ahead

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3772772.Landmark_i360_tower_faces_delays/

From bbc,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7680953.stm

Brighton tower delayed for year

The attraction is not now expected to open to the public until 2011
Work to build one of the tallest structures in the UK on Brighton seafront has been delayed another year.

Construction for the 183m (600ft) i360 observation tower was originally due to begin in 2007, but the team behind the project said it will now start in 2009.

Architect David Marks said it was taking developers "a little longer than anticipated" to start the work.

However, he said they remained "100% committed to the project", which is now expected to open in 2011.

The i360 tower, which will be built on the site of Brighton's ruined West Pier, was given final approval by the government in April 2007.

Glynn Jones, chair of the West Pier Trust, said the project had been a victim of the worldwide economic problems.

"We remain confident and look forward to it starting when the current situation has eased," he said.

Steel 'cans'

The i360 tower was designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the creators of the London Eye.

The team said on Monday that work to make the steelwork had already started in Holland.

The tower will be made up of 17 steel "cans" which vary in thickness from the bottom to the top.

A total of 660 tonnes of steel plate is currently being rolled at a factory near Maastricht.

Construction will involve the demolition of the promenade end of the West Pier, which closed in 1975.

A viewing pod will take people on a 20-minute ride up the spire, where the views from the top will reach for 25 miles to Bognor in the west and Eastbourne in the east.

The tower will be rooted in the middle of a heritage centre built at ground level on the seafront.

Good news that parts are already being made, Surely this is certain now ?

Thats what I was thinking. Bespoke metalwork coming off the production line. That is a vote of confidence more definate than any lip service a spokesperson can provide.

I was going to say. The tower is already under construction. Its just the happening outside Brighton at the moment.

I really dont like the i360 tower,, I think it would be better scrapped.
It doesn't fit into its surroundings. Plus we will be stuck with it for years to come.

I agree, the eye should be binned...anyway, more bad news:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3830232.King_Alfred_plans_are_killed_off_/

King Alfred definitely dead. Why the council can't just build a new leisure centre themselves...tossers.

Not at all surprised Gherry and the bank had pulled out sometime ago. If there had not been so much objection in the early days it would be well under way by now. Some people don't know what they've helped to stop.

I agree, the eye should be binned...anyway, more bad news:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/3830232.King_Alfred_plans_are_killed_off_/

King Alfred definitely dead. Why the council can't just build a new leisure centre themselves...tossers.

I live in a skyscrapercity... I live next to the tallest structure in the world.
Best part of Dubai for me is the Souks. Best part of Brighton for me is the Lanes.
If I want an aerial view of Brighton, I visit the Race course.

But for a tourist the pier is always 1st on the list. More people visit Blackpool Pier in a month than ever go up the tower in the year.
The Idea of the i360,, ((having worked in distribution for the gay magazine the 360) +.. (The visual of a ring going up and down all day a poll)) is just wrong..

Say No to i360… It will be a mess and will look tacky.

I suggest the installation of another low rise development along the seafront. With roof bars and café’s. Something we can use and will fit into landscape.

Not an unnecessary erection..

Not at all surprised Gherry and the bank had pulled out sometime ago. If there had not been so much objection in the early days it would be well under way by now. Some people don't know what they've helped to stop.

ING are back on board, but not with gehry. basically i think they pulled out in the summer because of the deteriorating economic circumstances which has seen the gehry scheme junked as a result but they have signed up again now for something else different...

ING are back on board, but not with gehry. basically i think they pulled out in the summer because of the deteriorating economic circumstances which has seen the gehry scheme junked as a result but they have signed up again now for something else different...

They haven't signed up for anything, rather they said they would consider other plans. Personally I wish they'd go with a much shorter design and focus on a high quality leisure centre...we pay enough fucking council tax.

ING are back on board, but not with gehry. basically i think they pulled out in the summer because of the deteriorating economic circumstances which has seen the gehry scheme junked as a result but they have signed up again now for something else different...

I wonder who will design it now then? Personally I thought Ghery's scheme was over developed , but that was the fault of the developer to be honest, If they had gone for a less grandiose scheme this probably could of been built but it's size and the fact that the housing market vaporised didn't help the case.

Public exhibition, scoping plans for new office building near Police station.

The public exhibition will take place on:
Friday 5 December, Old Courtroom, 118 Church St. Brighton, BN1 1UD, 9.30am till 1.00pm
Saturday 6 December, Old Courtroom, 118 Church St. Brighton, BN1 1UD, 1.00pm till 5.00pm

But for a tourist the pier is always 1st on the list. More people visit Blackpool Pier in a month than ever go up the tower in the year.
The Idea of the i360,, ((having worked in distribution for the gay magazine the 360) +.. (The visual of a ring going up and down all day a poll)) is just wrong..


To be fair it's free to get on one of the three piers in Blackpool, where as Blackpool Tower charge 14.95.

I think the idea of a tall iconic structure for Brighton is a great idea, although Blackpool Tower is more than just a tower it's a whole entertainment complex, but it really gives Blackpool a point of focus and I'm sure a tower for Brighton would do something similar.

I think the idea of a tall iconic structure for Brighton is a great idea, although Blackpool Tower is more than just a tower it's a whole entertainment complex, but it really gives Blackpool a point of focus and I'm sure a tower for Brighton would do something similar.

The Brighton Centre redevelopment hopefully will be Brighton's equivalent to Blackpool Tower, perhaps with a little "Burj" on the top - after all Brighton does have an oriental angle to its character!

To be fair it's free to get on one of the three piers in Blackpool, where as Blackpool Tower charge 14.95.

I think the idea of a tall iconic structure for Brighton is a great idea, although Blackpool Tower is more than just a tower it's a whole entertainment complex, but it really gives Blackpool a point of focus and I'm sure a tower for Brighton would do something similar.

Brighton did have it's very own Blackpool tower which was actually larger than Blackpools. Sadly this has lone gone, obviously!

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=3823

That's a different Brighton - New Brighton, up north, I think. This one is on the South Coast in Sussex. (forgive me if you're being ironic)

Brighton did have it's very own Blackpool tower which was actually larger than Blackpools. Sadly this has lone gone, obviously!

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=3823

sorry....my mistake.:-s

Propertyweek.com

The credit crunch has washed away developers’ hopes of starting work on some key schemes in Brighton and Hove.

Market uncertainty and a lack of finance has forced Standard Life to drop the £500m redevelopment of Brighton Conference Centre and the extension to its Churchill Square shopping centre, while in Hove, Dutch bank ING has pulled out as funding partner for the £290m King Alfred scheme.

At Brighton Marina, Brighton International Arena has shelved plans to develop the Black Rock site, while Brunswick Development Group is reconsidering its £250m outer harbour development, where it had hoped to provide 853 homes.

Tony Mernagh, executive director of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, a local business group backed by the South East England Development Agency, says: ‘For major projects, developers like to spread the risk by borrowing from different banks, so it will be very difficult to bring projects forward until the credit crunch has been sorted out and banks start lending again.’

One Brighton regeneration project to have escaped the downturn is New England Quarter, next to the station. Developed by a consortium of Network Rail, Sainsbury’s and Quoin Estates & Developments, it has taken 10 years to complete. It comprises several sites, a Sainsbury’s store, offices that will be developed by McAleer & Rushe, a 250-bed Radisson hotel, a 234-bed Jurys Inn, a residential-led, mixed-use scheme by Quoin Estates, residential schemes by Barratt Homes, and Crest Nicholson and BioRegional Quintain, and an international language school.

The New England Quarter also includes a vacant site owned by Simon Halabi. He was refused planning permission for a development similar to the Beetham tower in London.

Chris Gilbert, chief executive of Quoin Estates, says: ‘This proves the importance of timing. A regeneration process usually takes five years. Once you get planning it is a case of where you fall in the market cycle.

‘Developers are unlikely to get funds easily for a couple of years at least.’

Propertyweek.com 'The credit crunch has washed away developers’ hopes of starting work on some key schemes in Brighton and Hove.'
Don't worry we still have a magnificent folly of a palace (Royal Pavillion) and loads of happy nimbys who think they are living in Shoreham.

Propertyweek.com 'One Brighton regeneration project to have escaped the downturn is New England Quarter, next to the station. Developed by a consortium of Network Rail, Sainsbury’s and Quoin Estates & Developments, it has taken 10 years to complete.'

Except for the great big whole of derelict land in the middle of it.

Propertyweek.com 'The New England Quarter also includes a vacant site owned by Simon Halabi. He was refused planning permission for a development similar to the Beetham tower in London.'

Exactly.

Propertyweek.com ‘Developers are unlikely to get funds easily for a couple of years at least.’
You don't say.

Don't worry we still have a magnificent folly of a palace (Royal Pavillion) and loads of happy nimbys who think they are living in Shoreham.



Except for the great big whole of derelict land in the middle of it.



Exactly.


You don't say.


Nothing will ever happen in Brighton now. Labour are doomed, and the Tories are really anti everything above 2 feet tall. They will be in power well into the next cycle, so any proposals that might have come forward due to the banks lending again will be killed off by the council. :ohno:

Why don’t they concentrate on site near Brighton Uni Mithras House/ Cockcroft Building.

I always planned to bring private equity/ investment to rebuild the Army Barracks into a Student redevelopment using Aedas from Hong Kong.

Improving University facilities and the raising the portfolio of Brighton / Sussex Uni in my eyes would be an excellent decision.

sorry....my mistake.:-s

In Blackpool tower they have a big room full of old pictures of other old towers and I made the same mistake as you and had never heard of New Brighton and thought it was the same as Brighton.

So you are in good company :)

Brighton Marina Tower.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/sussex/7779008.stm
http://i34.tinypic.com/fbkpps.jpg

Is this the approved render,, I hope not.

Very pleased to hear that, at last,parts for the I360 are being made (in Maastrict, Holland). So want the i360 to happen - and as soon as possible. It will enhance this beautiful seaside city and draw in more visitors.

Standard Life Investments tackles Brighton seafront again
www.propertyweek.co.uk
15:03 | 19.01.09

By Deirdre Hipwell

Standard Life Investments is restarting plans to carry out a major mixed-use development on Brighton’s seafront in Sussex after putting the scheme on hold last year because of adverse market conditions.

The fund manager and Brighton & Hove City Council confirmed they were seeking expressions of interest from property design, architectural and engineering teams through the open European Procurement Procedures to work on the scheme’s development.

The proposals include a significant expansion of Churchill Square Shopping Centre, which is owned by Standard Life Investments, the development of a convention centre and a hotel and other leisure facilities

Standard Life Investments is initially seeking to appoint consultants to work on detailed feasibility studies and expects these to be concluded by the end of this year. Following the studies, the parties will progress with detailed design work and the development of a planning application for the site.

Daniel McHugh, investment director at Standard Life Investments, said: ‘We look forward to working on the proposals which have the potential to deliver a unique development of exceptional quality, transforming this area of Brighton.’

Cllr Mary Mears, leader at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: ‘This development will put Brighton back at the forefront of the international conventions market and secure thousands of jobs. That’s welcome news at this difficult time. Securing such a big investor as Standard Life Investments is a tremendous vote of confidence in the city’s economy and future.

‘We want a beautifully-designed landmark building which performs to the highest environmental and technical specifications. The overall development will radically improve the facilities and appearance of one the most important places in the entire city, creating a beautiful new focal point on the seafront.’

Standard Life Investments tackles Brighton seafront again
www.propertyweek.co.uk
15:03 | 19.01.09

By Deirdre Hipwell

Standard Life Investments is restarting plans to carry out a major mixed-use development on Brighton’s seafront in Sussex after putting the scheme on hold last year because of adverse market conditions.

The fund manager and Brighton & Hove City Council confirmed they were seeking expressions of interest from property design, architectural and engineering teams through the open European Procurement Procedures to work on the scheme’s development.

The proposals include a significant expansion of Churchill Square Shopping Centre, which is owned by Standard Life Investments, the development of a convention centre and a hotel and other leisure facilities

Standard Life Investments is initially seeking to appoint consultants to work on detailed feasibility studies and expects these to be concluded by the end of this year. Following the studies, the parties will progress with detailed design work and the development of a planning application for the site.

Daniel McHugh, investment director at Standard Life Investments, said: ‘We look forward to working on the proposals which have the potential to deliver a unique development of exceptional quality, transforming this area of Brighton.’

Cllr Mary Mears, leader at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: ‘This development will put Brighton back at the forefront of the international conventions market and secure thousands of jobs. That’s welcome news at this difficult time. Securing such a big investor as Standard Life Investments is a tremendous vote of confidence in the city’s economy and future.

‘We want a beautifully-designed landmark building which performs to the highest environmental and technical specifications. The overall development will radically improve the facilities and appearance of one the most important places in the entire city, creating a beautiful new focal point on the seafront.’

Wow! Fantastic news, and so needed. Of all the developments this is the most important. It will add another tower to the the 'cluster' of two, as well as transforming what is one of the daggiest shopping centres in the South East (except Chatham maybe). The rest of Brighton is so amazing, but it has been let down by this area in the past. I think Standard life are being very shrewd here. It will take at least 5 years to go from plans to completion. They are guarenteed to fill every store, it is the prime site for retail, and they will have no problem finding a hotel owner prepared to take half the tower. Any apartments, even in a depression, will be highly sought after. This has made my day or night...can't sleep as I've got a cough :(

My eyes have seen something quite amazing planned for the sea front... must keep lips sealed for now....

How come on you can tell us!

Four architects make it onto Brighton landmark shortlist

12 June 2009

Building Design Partnership, Foster + Partners, Make and Wilkinson Eyre have been shortlisted on a £250m scheme to redevelop Brighton’s seafront conference centre

Brighton and Hove council has joined with Standard Life Investments to develop a new landmark building, with a shopping centre at Churchill Square being expanded and a high-quality hotel built.

Mary Mears, leader of the council, said the new centre would be a “beautifully-designed landmark with the highest environmental and technical specifications.”

The successful architect will draw up a feasibility study by the end of the year and detailed designs for planning in 2010.

A council spokesperson said: “We’re not in a position yet to confirm any applicants or shortlisted firms regarding the Brighton Centre redevelopment.”

Not the most interesting collection of architects. I really hope its not another boring glass box on the waterfront and that the architects actually understand the importance of the location as apposed to designing something to fulfil their ego's.

There you go! And they are interesting!!

When will pictures be released?

This is so promising. SL have been progressing with this right through the worst times. It so makes sense, this is Brighton's prime site and if they get it right could permanently transform the city. Will this development include the Kingswest abortion?

Not the most interesting collection of architects. I really hope its not another boring glass box on the waterfront and that the architects actually understand the importance of the location as apposed to designing something to fulfil their ego's.

Who would you have liked to have seen?

Four architects make it onto Brighton landmark shortlist

12 June 2009

Building Design Partnership, Foster + Partners, Make and Wilkinson Eyre have been shortlisted on a £250m scheme to redevelop Brighton’s seafront conference centre

Brighton and Hove council has joined with Standard Life Investments to develop a new landmark building, with a shopping centre at Churchill Square being expanded and a high-quality hotel built.

Mary Mears, leader of the council, said the new centre would be a “beautifully-designed landmark with the highest environmental and technical specifications.”

The successful architect will draw up a feasibility study by the end of the year and detailed designs for planning in 2010.

A council spokesperson said: “We’re not in a position yet to confirm any applicants or shortlisted firms regarding the Brighton Centre redevelopment.”

I can reveal that Make have won the competition to design the Brighton Centre.
(sorry I can't post any images of the scheme)

Not much is happening in Brighton it would seem.

Not much is happening in Brighton it would seem.

El Greco what are your thoughts about Brighton?

Its a mixed bag but miles better than Blackpool.

Its a mixed bag but miles better than Blackpool.

coming from you El Greco that is praise indeed.

On the Blackpool front I would like to see a partnership between us and Brighton, we can help each other.

I cant imagine what Blackpool could offer to Brighton.Perhaps you should make friends with Eastbourne instead?

I cant imagine what Blackpool could offer to Brighton.Perhaps you should make friends with Eastbourne instead?

Perhaps the fact we the two biggest seaside holiday destinations in the UK and both have at the other extreme nasty heroin problems, I'm sure we have things we can learn from each other in how we improve one and deal with the other.

Brightons seafront is the worst part of the city - they should make it similar to Cannes' or Nices - plant some trees improve the pavements etc.The rest of the city should be cleaned up too as there are still many run down buildings there.Basically Brighton should be ruthlessly corporatised - funfairs and such should be murdered end of.Anyway as things stand I like The Lanes and interesting shops that you can find there as well as cool bars.
Blackpool on the other hand doesnt have neither cool bars nor Lanes.Its a tired chav infested shithole with dilapidated buildings and bad weather.Well I suppose Blackpool could do Cannes and Nice but that would involve laying waste to the entire place and of course you would have to do something about the undesirables - chavs and the like - people with money dont want to go to a place full of them.Would cost loads of money too.

Brightons seafront is the worst part of the city - they should make it similar to Cannes' or Nices - plant some trees improve the pavements etc.

Brighton's seafront is one of the most dynamic in Europe. Get down away from the road to beach level and you have volley ball, pétanque, great kids facilities, live gigs, basket ball, artist quarter, night clubs, restaurants, cafes, bars, a pier, nude bathing, a train, marina, museum, fine Victorian architecture, markets, swimming pool much of which is beautifully landscaped.

Yeah but its tacky shabby and unkempt.Kids markets fish&chips fun fairs need to be done away with.Also note the lack of trees along the seafront.

http://www.pbase.com/keiththomson/image/3441902/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/keiththomson/image/3441903/original.jpg

Fish and chips and fun fairs are a part of england deal with it. Altho i agree some tree's would be good but if you go down in to hove there is lots of greenery and trees.

Yes Ive heard that one before fish&chips and funfairs are part of British seaside charm right?That charm can only be appreciated by British themselves only (usually pensioners or people with serious taste deficit) as shown by the lack of foreign visitors to Brighton.
If you want to attract foreign visitors or at least the right kind of people you need to get rid of tacky fun fairs fish&chips shops and all that shit.

Yes Ive heard that one before fish&chips and funfairs are part of British seaside charm right?That charm can only be appreciated by British themselves only (usually pensioners or people with serious taste deficit) as shown by the lack of foreign visitors to Brighton.
If you want to attract foreign visitors or at least the right people you need to get rid of tacky fun fairs fish&chips shops and all that shit.

Why do you live in the Uk? You seem to hate the place. :nuts:

Yawn.

Yes Ive heard that one before fish&chips and funfairs are part of British seaside charm right?That charm can only be appreciated by British themselves only (usually pensioners or people with serious taste deficit) as shown by the lack of foreign visitors to Brighton.
If you want to attract foreign visitors or at least the right kind of people you need to get rid of tacky fun fairs fish&chips shops and all that shit.

Have you actually been to Brighton EL Greco its full of foreign visitors in the Summer.

No its not full and those that go there mostly stay away from the sea.

No its not full and those that go there mostly stay away from the sea.

Oh yes it is (suppose you don't like punch & Judy either ;) )

Are you saying foreign tourists are a bit limp & are scared of the English channel. That's not nice generalistions El Greco.

No I dont like Punch&Judy its yet another ugly thing blighting so many British seaside towns.I just dont understand this love for all things tacky - puppet shows fun fairs fish&chips shops etc.All these things need to be done away with they are just not classy and whingings of change-averse people about loss of character atmosphere or corporatisation should be ignored.

I went to a club last night and all the bar staff were from abroad and 90% of the customers. All from abroad. Then on my way home the whole bus full of foreign tourists.

I went to a club last night and all the bar staff were from abroad and 90% of the customers. All from abroad. Then on my way home the whole bus full of foreign tourists.

It's foreign student time in brighton.

I like Brighton seafront, it's very unique, and has a real buzz. There are tacky bits, but there are also loads of great bars, clubs and restaurants. Also, it's not just the bit between the piers. I cycle from Hove to Rottingdean, and it's just awesome.

deleted

MAKE TIPPED FOR £250M BRIGHTON JOB

24 July 2009

By Olivia Boyd

Ken Shuttleworth’s Make Architects is believed to have pipped Building Design Partnership, Wilkinson Eyre and his former colleague Norman Foster to the redevelopment of Brighton’s seafront conference centre

Building understands the firm set up by Shuttleworth, a former director of Foster + Partners, will shortly be announced as architect for the £250m Brighton Centre, which is intended to be a landmark for the seaside town.

The scheme is being developed by Brighton & Hove council with Standard Life Investments. It will include a convention centre, a hotel and the expansion of the Churchill Square shopping centre.

The council refused to confirm that Make had won the scheme, but Building understands an announcement will be made within a fortnight. The council said: “There has been no award to Make as of now and it would be premature to predict any.”

“Make will welcome the appointment, as it comes after a difficult few months for the practice”
The idea to redevelop this part of Brighton first saw light in 1996, when talks took place between architect Jara International and the council. The discussions came to nothing, but the project has been revived and delayed twice since. Make has already done a feasibility study for the project.

Make would welcome the appointment, as it comes after a difficult few months for the practice. Last week the planning application for its Cherry Orchard Road scheme in Croydon was withdrawn by developer Menta after the council recommended that it be refused. Make is understood to have been retained to rework the designs.

In June, the firm reported a 72% drop in profit from £1.27m in 2007 to £351,000 last year. Earlier this month, Building revealed that the architect was left £53,200 out of pocket by the collapse of Verry Construction.


Read more: http://www.building.co.uk/

Anyone have any news on the favored structural engineer for this project?

No its not full and those that go there mostly stay away from the sea.

Hmm, last week I worked in Brighton at the Develop Games Industry Conference, full of people from all around the world (about 2000 people) mainly americans and canadians, and they all loved Brighton, loads of them went off for some traditional Fish and Chips (despite the classy food the Hilton Caterers were serving them inclusive with their conference ticket). Relentless Software hired an Ice Cream Van which went down REALLY well, sat outside the Hotel all daay every day, the beach was full of developers enjoying a break between talks and the atmosphere was really good. They liked it, Americans, Canadians, Chinese, , Germans and Japanese...

Face it, people like our culture so don't be embarrassed by it, it may be bland and normal to you it's exotic to other people from other cultures.

Whats exotic about tacky fish&chips shops and funfairs?

To other cultures it is.

What thinks you lot of this:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4512150.O_my_gosh___look_what_s_lined_up_for_Brighton_seafront/?action=complain&cid=7863537

Is i360 still alive?

What thinks you lot of this:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4512150.O_my_gosh___look_what_s_lined_up_for_Brighton_seafront/?action=complain&cid=7863537

I like it, are there any visuals for it?

I like it, are there any visuals for it?

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2214BrightonsBigO_pic1.jpg

Looks great...prefer it to the pole.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2214BrightonsBigO_pic1.jpg

Looks great...prefer it to the pole.

That is superb and very quickly will be come an icon of Brighton.

I like the wheel, I think it suits Brighton a lot better, my only gripe with it is it is near an 80m building which may block views, it should have been taller. At least Portsmouth does not lose it's tallest observation tower status.

deleted

What morons reject these towers and why?

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=2741 construction to start on the i360 at last.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=2741 construction to start on the i360 at last.

Great news for brighton, my sis lives in london, we go over to her every summer, and we love going down to brighton, love the pier and getting donuts, when you go on the pier, for us its kind Of a Must go place. :)

http://www.shopping-centre.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4695/Green_light_for_Worthing_scheme__.html


Worthing Borough Council has given the go ahead for Hanson Capital Management’s £150m Worthing Gateway, the first major town centre commercial scheme in the region for over 20 years


The Worthing Gateway plans, designed by Russ Drage Architects, comprise a 9 screen multiplex Cinema, under offer to Vue, with a capacity of 1,300 seats; 260 new homes; an 88-bedroom high quality hotel; new restaurants and coffee shops; a new Sainsbury’s supermarket with a sales area of 50,000 sq ft; a new conference and exhibition centre that will host a wide range of events, from conferences and exhibitions to arts, private functions and community events; a health and fitness centre;a office suites/business space and extensive landscaped public spaces.

In addition there will be car parking for 967 cars, together with disabled, parent/child, cycle and motorcycle parking, in two parking areas : a below ground car park of about 400 spaces and decked car parking with about 560 spaces.

The scheme is designed to enhanced pedestrian circulation connecting the town centre with the station.

John Desmond, managing director of Hanson Capital Management said: “This is great news for Worthing’s future prosperity. We have had very strong support from residents who want to get the project moving so that the long-term Teville Gate eyesore can be finally cleared away and a new start made on this key town centre site.

“The supermarket and cinema are already under offer and discussions are progressing with occupiers for the Hotel and Conference and Exhibition Centre. Discussions are also taking place with national and regional restaurant groups.”

Construction work is scheduled to start in mid 2012 with the completion of the project by Christmas 2014. Blue Sky Planning are planning consultants. HNG and Savills are joint letting agents.

the brighton wheel is now finished

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9198/bwheel.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/bwheel.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2365/bwheel2.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/bwheel2.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2365/bwheel2.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/402/bwheel2.png/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Wow that was quick...is it permanent? I moved to Toronto from Hove in August, and can't remember even seeing if they'd started it!

^^

Officials at Brighton and Hove City Council have given temporary planning permission for the wheel to stay in place until May 2016.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045705/That-really-EYE-Brighton-Giant-ferris-wheel-seafront-rival-London-attraction.html

^^



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2045705/That-really-EYE-Brighton-Giant-ferris-wheel-seafront-rival-London-attraction.html

Cool....I'll have to take a ride when I return at crimbo!

Had a ride on the wheel last Friday, great views and commentary by Steve Coogan!

Had a ride on the wheel last Friday, great views and commentary by Steve Coogan!

Aha...this is Brighton!

Thorne´s is a new gourmet shop in Brighton Lanes. Very well use and recovery of the old building.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5893/thornesbrighton.jpg

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5457/thornesproducts.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/6634/thornesbutcher.jpg


Here another Gourmet shops of the city http://kitchenvoyage.blogspot.com/2011/12/best-10-gourmet-brighton-shops.html

I was walking around the North Lanes today, and there were quite a few derelict sites around, and abandoned looking 60s buildings. Any reason these are/were not developed over the past 10 years? Prime land near the station and lanes which would have massive appeal.

Also one thing I noticed about Brighton is how crap the street furniture and paving is except for the area near Jubilee library. Any plans on doing it up?

I do love Brighton though despite these minor issues.

I was walking around the North Lanes today, and there were quite a few derelict sites around, and abandoned looking 60s buildings. Any reason these are/were not developed over the past 10 years? Prime land near the station and lanes which would have massive appeal.

Also one thing I noticed about Brighton is how crap the street furniture and paving is except for the area near Jubilee library. Any plans on doing it up?

I do love Brighton though despite these minor issues.

I have always considered that to be Brighton's downfall, lack of maintenance and crappy public realm, It really is obvious when you are there that the council has very little interest in doing something about it.