Hastings Commons Renovations On Track
Hastings Commons (HC) has released an up-to-date report on their major renovation works at three properties: 12 Claremont, Eagle House and the rooftop of the Observer Building (OB). Planning permission has been obtained for all three projects, contractors have been appointed, and each project is intended to be completed by the end of March next year.
Interior of 12 Claremont
12 Claremont was built in 1870 as the Claremont Rooms, used initially for various community meetings and activities before becoming an early base for the FJ Parsons newspaper empire, then Hastings’ first telephone exchange. Two decades ago, it was restored to become the birthplace of Project Art Works, but has been empty since 2016 when plans by East Sussex County Council to extend the next-door library were abandoned.
The HC renovation, funded by awards from the Towns Fund, Community Ownership Fund and Historic England, has been designed by nationally renowned heritage architects Purnell to become an “inclusive and accessible” creative hub. It will include a gallery space run by Project Art Works and an artist workspace managed by Hastings Art School. There will also be an international hosting and learning centre on the first floor, run by Jericho Road Solutions, for people from across the country and the world “to learn about commoning and community-led regeneration”.
The builders are Buxton Building Contractors Ltd, who have a long track record in heritage projects across the South-East. Their recent renovation contracts elsewhere have included Eastgate House in Rochester, Stanmer Park in Brighton and properties in Harley Street, London.
Buxton are also the contractors for the renovation of Eagle House, built originally in 1867 and used for most of its history as a furniture and furnishings showroom; at one time it became a second-hand department for Debenhams. From next year, the building will resume its role as a community hub, with a focus on provision for young people. The Common Room first opened as a public living room in September 2021 with a youth club added in October 2023. Both uses will return to the ground floor. The rest of the building will cater for the Hastings Youth Commons, providing spaces for interaction, learning and support for those aged 11-18. There will be office space for local youth workers and youth organisations, and income-generating spaces to subsidise ongoing youth work.
Over at the OB, where the lower floors of the one-time printworks have already been transformed into workspaces, a creative technology hub and the Crossfit Gym, contractors 8Build are extending their work to the roof. When completed, an accessible public roof terrace will provide extensive views over Hastings, with a bar at the southern end of the building. There will also be a new floor built on top of the bar area for youth work. The main works are due to be completed by Christmas. Early next year, the bar will be fitted and gardens planted ready for intended public opening by April.
Kit Godfrey, HC’s Deputy General Manager and project lead for 12 Claremont and Eagle House said earlier this month: “I worked on the development of Eagle House and 12 Claremont for nearly three years before finally seeing a contractor on site. It’s incredibly exciting seeing projects that felt quite abstract for so long finally beginning to take shape in a tangible way. For me, the excitement comes from knowing we will deliver proper restorations of historic buildings in Hastings, but also watching the users of the buildings make them their own.”
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