The owner of one of Brighton’s finest Regency buildings says he wants to turn it into a wine bar.
Brighton businessman Tony Antoniades bought Marlborough House in the Old Steine in 1999 from the council, which was using it as offices, in 2005 and ten years later he got permission to turn it back into a single home.
But work has stalled on the Grade I listed building while he battles with the council over the changes he wants to make – which have even seen them end up in court.
The council this week confirmed it was dropping its prosecution against him for unauthorised changes to the 1765 building.
This was because a planning application to reverse some of the changes was approved.
Part of the application discusses Mr Antoniades’ “wider ambitions” for the building – which include a wine bar, dancing area, restaurant and hotel rooms.
The heritage statement, written by Nick Stickland of Stickland Wright architects, says: “The wider ambitions for the building … are for more significant alterations, restorations and refurbishment to bring the currently vacant Grade 1 listed building back into use.
“The intention would be to breathe new life into the building by re-connecting with its origins at the time of its design inception.
“The property was a single residence but intended for social gathering.
“The last use as offices would be changed to bring a mixture of commercial uses capable of being managed by a single occupier / operator or with a lead occupier / operator and sub-let commercial opportunities.
“The proposed would be:
- Lower Ground Floor (or basement): Wine bar with area for dancing + toilets.
- Ground Floor: Restaurant with bar and lounge area + toilets + staffed areas inc. kitchen.
- Front Gardens: Informal gardens with seating for guests and pop-up seasonal bar.
- First Floor: Ancillary rooms for private dining, lounge and games. A bedroom suite for guests. Staffed areas inc. kitchen and rest areas.
- Mezzanine: Lower level of a short-let apartment + staffed areas inc. office.
- Second floor (Attic Storey): Upper level of short-let apartment + staff accommodation.
“These uses are intended to chime with the social history of the building and offer a place where guests can linger in the building, taking a slow journey through rooms of different function and character.
“The building would become a generous host where one can eat, pause for thought, attend an event or meeting, dine, socialise, drink and be merry. For the lucky few, accommodation would be available.
“This success of this balance is intended to make a viable and sustainable commercial future for the building, which has for too long eluded it.”
Mr Antoniades got into hot water with Brighton and City Council after making alterations including taking out dormer windows, installing Velux rooflights, tearing down a porch to the rear and painting the outside with modern paint.
The council took him to court in February last year for breaching two enforcement notices.
Inappropriate owner – compulsory purchade BACK!
“These uses are intended to chime with the social history of the building and offer a place where guests can linger in the building, taking a slow journey through rooms of different function and character.”
How much was Nick Stickland paid to write this “heritage statement”? It makes an estate agent’s window look like a page from Proust.
The council should buy back this museum and sell it to someone who will respect it. These plans sound more suitable for a building in West Street and will damage the fabric of the building even more. This is too important abuilding historically to be owned by someone like this.
‘The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes’
APB