A potted history of Brighton & Hove’s art deco landmark, Embassy Court

Embassy, with this court, you are really spoiling us

Since it was built in the 1930s, the iconic Embassy Court has long divided opinion in Brighton and Hove. The flats, which stand at 110 feet tall and almost three times the size of its Regency neighbours, are often seen as a landmark of the city and have a long and varied history, with many ups and downs.

The Grade II listed building has a long history of affluence and was originally built as a first class residence and housed the rich and famous.

On the site was a two-storey villa known as Western House which was home to many colourful characters including William Walford, the first Viscount Astor, who died there in 1919.

Western House was demolished in 1930 and for several years was used as a mini golf course and a small car track. During the 1930s, cheap materials brought about a housing boom and the site was subsequently acquired by a London based property company who, along with Architect Wells Coates, had a vision to create “something that would capture the spirit of the new age”.

With its quirky style, steel-framed doors and awe-inspiring view of the glistening Sussex sea, the flats quickly became in demand and were known for being something of a celebrity hangout with rents at £150 – £500 (enough to buy a house in the 30s) they attracted names such as Rex Harrison, Diana Dors and Terrence Rattigan.

Uniformed doorman would stand at the front and greet the great and good who lived and visited the flats, which was one of the first in England to offer lock up garages and purpose-built penthouses.

But the flat’s fortunes changed dramatically over the years, and in the late 1980s they were beginning to rot. They had been neglected due to circumstances relating to maintenance and financing.

The flats descended into such a state that it was impossible to get a mortgage out on them. Flats were abandoned, occupied by squatters or rented out to migrants or students.

Long term tenants and Brighton residents decided that enough was enough and stepped in to save Embassy Court, which was unrecognisable from its glory days.

In 2005, major restoration and renovation work, which cost an estimated £5 million, was injected into Embassy Court.

The restoration was a success and the flats are now home to people from all sections of society and have cemented its name, once again, as a landmark of Brighton and Hove.

Embassy Court still shines and will never be allowed to get into that state again. All leaseholders of the flats are shareholders, with the freehold firmly in the hands of those with a vested interest in the future of the building.