Observer Building, Hastings

The Observer Building[1] on Cambridge Road, Hastings, designed by Henry Ward (architect) was the printworks and editorial offices associated with the Hastings and St Leonards Observer newspaper, housing the 500[2] editorial and administrative staff between 1924 and 1984. The building itself, by nature of the, locally unique, fascia with the owner's name incorporated into the mouldings compared to the surrounding buildings, became a significant landmark for many residents in the town of Hastings, the building being described as 'The most imposing site in Hastings' in a BBC news report of 2006.[3]

1924 Image of building

Architecture

The building has a distinctive terracotta-glazed frontage produced by the brick company Ibstock Hathernware with concrete mezzanine flooring behind and was designed by Henry Ward. Prior to construction, the site was occupied by terraced buildings similar to those further down the hill towards the town centre. [4]

The printing presses were located behind the building on lower floors extending into the sandstone caves behind Claremont with portions of the buildings containing them dating back to 1859, contemporaneous with the adjacent Brassey Institute[5]

Abandonment
2013 View of building

Following a move of the Observer offices to new premises on the outskirts of Hastings, the building fell into disrepair for a number of years. A music rehearsal/recording studio[6] did operate from the basement of the building circa 1991,[7] but was otherwise unoccupied for some 34 years.[8]

There were plans to demolish the building in 2006, however this was not implemented[9] due to many local residents objections. A developer purchased the building in 2014,[10] but failed to come up with plans that were approved by the local council,[11] resulting in the building being left vacant again. Further plans were proposed to turn the building into student accommodation for students attending the local campus of Brighton University in 2016, again to not materialise when the University pulled out of Hastings.[12]

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

Current Plans

Under the leadership of Jess Steele, White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures, the occupiers of Rock House Hastings, the more modern next-door building that also formed part of the Observer's property purchased the Observer building for £1.15 million in late 2018, with a ten-year plan to bring the building back into use.[2][13]

  • 16 capped rent flats for those struggling to find housing.[8]
  • 1 floor of co-working studios and offices.[8]
  • 3 floors occupied by leisure businesses, activities and events.[8]
  • A roof garden with glasshouse and bar/common room.[8]

These works are being carried out with funding provided by a number of local organisations and grants from organisations such as Big Issue Invest, Castlestone Investments, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council among others.

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

References
  1. Hastings Forum: Henry Ward, Architect - Hastings Forum Archived 2020-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 27 November 2019
  2. The Independent: In Hastings, Organisation Workshop puts the unemployed in charge of regeneration | The Independent Archived 2019-11-27 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 27 November 2019
  3. Bid to preserve landmark building: BBC NEWS | England | Southern Counties | Bid to preserve landmark building Archived 2006-07-13 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  4. "Hathernware.co.uk". Company history. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2011.
  5. Hastings and St. Leonards Observer: London firm buys Observer building - Hastings and St. Leonards Observer Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  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 2019-12-30. Retrieved 2019-11-29.
  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. Hastings and St. Leonards Observer: London firm buys Observer building - Hastings and St. Leonards Observer, accessdate: 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. The Independent: The battle for Hastings: Is it a dumping ground for the dispossessed or ripe for gentrification? | The Independent Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 30 December 2019
  13. Hastings Independent Press: The Observer Building: A New Future Unveiled – Hastings Independent Press Archived 2019-12-30 at the Wayback Machine, accessdate: 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
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