Kings House, Hove

Kings House is a Grade II listed building in Hove that was previously used as offices by Brighton and Hove City Council. It is situated in Grand Avenue.[1]

Kings House, Hove in 2018.

History

Kings House was built between 1871 and 1874 by James Knowles; originally it was built as seven mansion blocks, and was based on the style of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.[2][3][4] It then became a hotel, called the Prince's Hotel, before being used by the Royal Navy during the Second World War.[4][5] In 1948, the building was bought by SEEBOARD to use as the company headquarters, before being bought by Brighton and Hove City Council in 1996.[5][3] In 1974, the building became a Grade II listed building.[5][6]

In July 2014, Kings House was put up for sale for £10 million, as part of a cost saving plan.[7][8] By 2015, the valuation of the property had increased to around £20 million, with staff being relocated from the building to Hove Town Hall by December 2016.[9] It was sold for £26 million in July 2017 to Mortar Nova Grand Avenue, a joint venture development vehicle between developer Rego Property and Pacific Investments. The buyer plans to turn the building back into housing.[10]

References
  1. "Brighton council considers selling King's House". BBC News. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  2. "The Streets of Brighton & Hove". Brighton History. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  3. Ridgway, Tim (23 May 2012). "Brighton and Hove City Council muse selling Kings House". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  4. Trimingham, Adam (8 August 2011). "Grand Avenue through the years..." The Argus. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  5. Nemeth, Robert (5 October 2005). "King's House". Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  6. "The Brighton and Hove Summary Lists of Listed Buildings" (PDF) (pdf). Brighton and Hove City Council. 28 January 2016. p. 20. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  7. Ridgway, Tim (4 September 2013). "Brighton and Hove Council set to sell off Kings House". The Argus. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  8. Vowles, Neil (3 July 2014). "Council offices set to go on the market". The Argus. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  9. Vowles, Neil (26 October 2015). "Sale of prime seafront offices could end up netting council £24 million". Eastbourne Independent. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  10. le Duc, Frank (20 July 2017). "Council sells former Hove seafront HQ for £26m for housing". Brighton and Hove News. Retrieved 20 July 2017.

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