The owners of a hostel on Brighton seafront have submitted plans to restore it to its “former glory” – and to add a rooftop bar and terrace.
The Louche (Holdings) Limited, which owns the grade II listed building – formerly Hostelpoint Brighton – in Grand Junction Road, wants to refurbish it.
The plans include adding an extra storey to the former backpackers’ hostel which would house the proposed rooftop bar, restaurant and terrace.
The Louche, owned by Lucky Gohler and James Randall, both 38, proposed internal and external repairs to enable the building to be used as a hotel.
They also want to reinstate the original basement lightwells and their plans – submitted last month before the blaze at the neighbouring Royal Albion Hotel – include fitting a fire escape at the rear.
The company included a planning statement prepared by Lewis and Co Planning as part of the planning application that it submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council.
It said: “It is the intention of this application to restore the façade to its former glory and to repair, refurbish and reinstate the stucco render, windows, railings and other external features.
“Some additions are proposed to bring this building up to modern hotel standard, most notably the proposed extension at roof level to create a new hotel bar and terrace, and also the addition of an external rear fire escape to provide means of escape in an emergency.”
The external alterations also include a new sub-basement level and repairs to existing rotten wooden windows, railings and stucco rendering.
The internal works include reinstating the original stairs and party walls and installing a lift.
The five-storey building was originally a row of private houses with a storey added in 1897. It became a hotel – once known as the Palace Pier Hotel – and most recently operated as a hostel with 31 rooms.
According to the 1851 census, the occupants of the building included the Countess of Lovelace, daughter of the poet Lord Byron.
Ada Lovelace was a mathematician and a pioneer of computing and was accompanied by her mother, Lady Byron, and her son, along with a footman and lady’s maid.
The planning application said that the building was currently in a derelict state and required reconfiguration and refurbishment.
The proposed layouts aim to “improve the guest experience” by creating more efficient spaces and guest rooms while relocating back-of-house areas to the basement.
To view and comment on the planning applications, visit the planning portal on the council’s website and search for BH2023/01884 and BH2023/01885.
The application is due to be decided by Tuesday 5 September.
Please no objections to this application, and lets see some real improvements on an increasingly grotty seafront.
People can object if they want. Some no doubt will. But what matters is the quality of any objection and does it address planning policy issues. ‘I don’t like it’ isn’t a valid ground and will basically be ignored.
Amd people may support the application but have concerns about particular aspects.
I’ve not read the actual application but in principal any investment in the city and its heritage is to be welcomed.
If I remember correctly an application to add an extra storey to this building was refused only recently because of its impact on the appearance of the historic setting. Presumably this is a resubmitted proposal and if so it would be helpful if this article mentioned that.
Its a fabulous idea – I’m all for it. I will be one of the first to try out the rooftop bar
I think a lot would be depend on the design of the proposed additional storey. Certainly this area is run down and shabby, with older buildings poorly maintained whilst most of the newer ones ones are ugly ( and also shabby) .
Let’s see how the new floor would look.
The other proposed works sound sensible and necessary.
It’s all a bit suspicious to be honest…..
Why suspicious? What grounds do you have for claiming that?
Being a Brightonian.
No!!! If people want London style go to move to London and leave our historical town alone!! Sick of being bulldozed over these new builds are soul less 😒
Read the article again.
This building is being given out now (24 April 2024) on a monthly lease to occupant. Can anyone in the Brighton and Hove council before I make payment? Renovations currently ongoing
The Metropole was given a ‘new rooftop’ look.
It ruined the architecture. They usually do.
It will be much better than it is now and no they are not going to do a rebuild, why strive for the impossible when you can accept the very good. Conservationists can be a bit of a pain sometimes. The building at present is covered in grafitti, [ no surprise there] and now we have the blackened shell of the Royal Albion over the road. I agree a plan to enhance Pool Valley wouldn’t go amiss. The city needs to get things moving.