Building Opinions: Robert Nemeth
Tile House
Preston Manor, Rotunda, Whoopsadaisy Pavilion and clock tower have all featured in previous columns but never have I mentioned the most curious of the buildings in and around Preston Park – the Tile House.
Its history is given in many different contradicting forms. A council-produced map suggests that it was bought from the Wembley Exhibition in 1929 (presumably in reference to the British Empire Exhibition of 1924/5 that was held in Wembley). Its designer is usually given as Philip Lockwood.
Philip Causton Lockwood (1821-1908) was the Borough Surveyor of Brighton who was responsible for the remodelling of the Dome in 1867 and the construction of the Birdcage Bandstand in 1884. Although some structures did come to Brighton from the British Empire Exhibition, such as the Tuscan pergola and Doric temple in the Patcham Peace Gardens, I think that it is very unlikely that the Tile House did not.
Its history is given in many different forms
I am confident that the building was by Lockwood in the 1880s, just after Preston Park opened. It has a Victorian rather than 1920s appearance after all. It may well be that the myriad of tiles that clad its exterior are from some sort of exhibition though. They certainly showcase a range of products to tremendous effect.
I was lucky enough to recently be shown around by David Moreton who rents the building from Brighton & Hove City Council. He has done lots of research on its history and explained that it began as a ladies’ pavilion. It consists of one large space within which is flooded by light from the hundreds of panes of glass on each of its eight sides.
It’s certainly a glorious place to be on a sunny day.
