Arundel Terrace

The Arundel Terrace houses were built for Thomas Read Kemp by Amon Wilds and Charles Busby between 1824 and 1828.[1] All were constructed with Doric porches and ironwork balconies, although not all these remain, and the buildings were built facing the sea.[2][3] They were built as part of a 106 house development plan for the Kemp Town area of Brighton.[4]

Number 13 was the first building to be completed, and was used from 1826–1851 as the Bush Hotel, before being put up for sale by the building's owners, a Mr Creasy and Mr Wilkinson.[1][3][5] The building was then converted into a private house, and then a girls' school.[2] In 1910 it became a nursing home, and in the 1950 it was converted into a guest house.[1][3] Number One was the home of lawyer and financier Chevalier François de Rosaz; in his will, de Rosaz asked for the building to be converted into a Catholic asylum.[2][1] Number 5 has had a string of interesting owners and residents. From 1853-57, it was the home of writer William Harrison Ainsworth; during his time living at 5 Arundel Terrace, he wrote the novels The Star Chamber, The Flitch of Bacon, The Spendthrift, The Life and Adventures of Mervyn Clitheroe, and Ovingdean Grange.[1][3] A plaque outside commemorates Ainsworth.[6] Number 5 was also the home of the painter Count William de Belleroche, son of the pioneer of lithography, Albert de Belleroche; broadcaster Annie Nightingale (1964-67); writer and Second World War Royal Air Force hero Paul Richey (1967-73); and it has been the home of journalist Roy Greenslade since 1973. Actor Robert Flemyng lived at Number 6 from 1949 until his death in 1995. He let the ground floor to West End theatre star Douglas Byng from 1974 until his death in 1987; his ashes were scattered outside the buildings.[1][7] Ronald Searle, the cartoonist and creator of St Trinian's School, lived at Number 8, 1958-64. The playwright and screenwriter John Osborne lived at Number 7 (1948-49), as did John Henson Infield, the proprietor of the Evening Argus and Sussex Daily News (1920-38)[1] and Edward FitzGerald, the 7th Duke of Leinster (1966-70). Actor and singer Millicent Martin lived at Number 8, 1970-73.

Number 11 is listed as being put up for sale as an eleven bedroom private house in 1844,[8]

In 1952, the Terrace, including Arundel House (which is listed as being numbers 12–13 Arundel Terrace), became a Grade I listed building.[9] In 2015, Arundel Terrace was included in plans made for a proposal for Brighton Promenade to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[10]