Seafront council offices to be turned back into homes

The council’s former HQ on Hove seafront – between Grand Avenue and Second Avenue – is to be turned back into housing with plans going on show next month.

Developers Mortar Nova Grand Avenue will share their ideas next month at a public consultation exhibition.

The company bought Kings House from Brighton & Hove City Council in October for £26.125 million.

The council spent some of the money refurbishing Hove Town Hall, with large numbers of staff moving across to newly created office space with no loss of jobs.

The move saved £2 million a year in running costs and, the council said, this was invested in providing better customer services for residents while reducing council emissions by 27%.

Alan Coleman, Director of Mortar Nova Grand Avenue, said: “We are proposing to restore King’s House to its former glory, refurbishing the grade II listed building and reintroducing some of its original external features, including changing its use back to its original intention, which is residential homes.

“We are also proposing a high-quality new building…and we are keen to hear local people’s views on our draft plans.”

The original five-storey building was built in 1870 as a series of terraces that were joined together to form the Princes Hotel.

During the Second World War it became HMS Lizard and was used for shore-based training by 50,000 servicemen.

The public consultation exhibition is taking place on Friday 26 January and Saturday 27 January. It will run from 6pm – 9.30pm on Friday 26 January and from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 27 January.

By Clare Calder