Observer Building, Hastings

The Observer Building[1] is a building on Cambridge Road, Hastings, England. It was originally occupied by the print works and editorial offices of the Hastings & St. Leonards Observer newspaper. Between 1924 and 1984 it housed 500 employees.[2][3] The building later became a significant local landmark, and was described as "one of the most imposing [buildings] in Hastings" by the BBC News.[4]

The Observer Building in 1924.

Architecture

Designed by architect Henry Ward, the building has a distinctive terracotta-glazed façade produced by the brick company Ibstock Hathernware with the original owner's name incorporated into the moulding. It features concrete mezzanine flooring.

Prior to construction, the site was occupied by terraced buildings similar to those further down the hill towards the town centre.[5]

The printing presses were located on the lower floors behind the building, and extended into the sandstone caves behind Claremont. Similar to the adjacent Brassey Institute, portions of the building which contain these caves date back as far as 1859.

Abandonment
2013 View of the building

When the Observer's offices moved to a new location on the outskirts of Hastings, the building fell into disrepair for a number of years. A music rehearsal and recording studio did operate from the basement of the building around 1991,[6][7] but it stayed otherwise unoccupied for around 34 years.[8]

There were plans to demolish the building in 2006, however they were not implemented due to several local residents' objections.[9] A developer purchased the building in 2014[10] but failed to get his plans approved by the local council,[11] resulting in the building being left vacant again. Further plans were proposed to turn the building into accommodation for students attending the local campus of Brighton University in 2016, but these plans also did not materialize as the University pulled out of Hastings.[12]

In 2017, the Hastings Borough Council approved plans for an artistry studio on the lower ground floor, a residents’ gym on the mezzanine level, a restaurant and shop, plus 50 private flats and a private roof terrace. These plans did not come to fruition, and after some essential work had been carried out on the internal structure the building was put back up for sale for £1.5 million.[2]

Current plans

White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures, who occupy the building next to the Observer Building, purchased the Observer Building for £1.15 million in late 2018 under the leadership of Jess Steele. The purchase included a ten-year plan to bring the building back into use[2][13] which included 16 capped rent flats for those struggling to find housing, a floor of co-working studios and offices, 3 floors occupied by leisure businesses, activities and events, and a roof garden with a glasshouse and bar/common room. [8]

These current plans are being carried out using funding provided by numerous local groups as well as grants from organizations such as Big Issue Invest, Castlestone Investments, Hastings Borough Council, and the East Sussex County Council.

After minor renovations, the lower floors of the building are being utilised for various local events,[14] such as pop up cinemas, art exhibitions,[15][16] and theatre.[17]

References
  1. Hastings Forum: Henry Ward, Architect - Hastings Forum Archived 2020-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 27 November 2019
  2. Sheffield, Hazel (3 July 2019). "In Hastings, Organisation Workshop puts the unemployed in charge of regeneration". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  3. "The workshop that puts the unemployed in charge of regeneration". The Independent. 3 July 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  4. "Bid to preserve landmark building". BBC News. 8 March 2006. Archived from the original on 13 July 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  5. "Hathernware.co.uk". Company history. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  6. Light From Darkness Studios: Light From Darkness Studios Archived 2016-04-04 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 29 November 2019
  7. 911100 Turning the Tide A4_0.pdf: Annual Report - 911100 Turning the Tide A4_0.pdf Archived 2020-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 29 November 2019
  8. "The Observer Building website". Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  9. Hastings' prolific yet forgotten Architect: Henry Ward - Hastings' prolific yet forgotten Architect Archived 2016-03-16 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 1 December 2019
  10. "London firm buys Observer building". Hastings & St. Leonards Observer. 24 June 2014. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  11. hbc-10a-fa8-10: HBC-10(a) HBC Planning Policy Hearing Nov 2014 Sect 5.8.11 Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  12. Blass, Tom (17 March 2016). "The battle for Hastings: Is it a dumping ground for the dispossessed or ripe for gentrification?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  13. "The Observer Building: A New Future Unveiled". Hastings Independent Press. 8 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  14. Nöel Vintage Fair at The Observer Building, Hastings: Nöel Vintage Fair at The Observer Building, Hastings Archived 2020-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  15. Beth Smith: Exhibition at The Observer Building Hastings | Beth Smith Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  16. A Diary: JANEY MOFFATT - ARTIST & MOTHER - The Observer Building - A Diary Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  17. Broken Biscuits: Broken Biscuits Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019

50.8555°N 0.5759°E / 50.8555; 0.5759

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