Co-working offices ask to install rooftop hot tubs

A Brighton co-working space wants to open a rooftop sauna for its members.

Platf9rm hires office space and meeting rooms on four floors of Tower Point, an eleven-storey 1960s block in North Road.

Its parent company Platform NIne 2025, a subsidiary of Freedom Works, has applied for planning permission to create a terrace on the top of the seven-storey southern wing.

As well as hot tubs, it wants to put in a bar, changing rooms and showers, with tables and chairs and planting.

It says the sauna would be open from 8am to 8pm Sunday to Thursday, and 8am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

The bar would be open from midday until 11pm from Monday to Saturday and until 10.30pm on Sundays.

Both would be available for public hire when not in use by Platf9rm members.

The application, written by planning consultant Paul Semple, says: “The provision of the rooftop amenity area is seen as a key part to the Platf9rm brand of creating a destination hub and state of the art venue and environment for business and local freelancers to work in, mix and engage.

“Its business model is based on a philosophy of wellbeing at work and the provision of such facilities is seen as an important facility.”

It adds: “To minimize any chance of users of the terrace overlooking the neighbouring properties, streets and the general area below the terrace, 1.5 metre wide planting beds would be created around its south, east and west perimeter, utilising the space between the back of the parapet wall and the low walls enclosing the sitting out areas.

“These beds and those separating the various outside seating areas would be planted up with plants and shrubs resilient to the localised salt laden winds and climate.”

The roof space was previously earmarked for an 88-seat restaurant, which was given planning permission in 2019 – but the plans were never progressed.

The block’s owners, Baron Homes, have unsuccessfully attempted to turn other floors of the block into flats over the past few years, but planning approval has been refused each time.