WORK to transform former council offices into plush flats is beginning to take shape.
Two new towers are being built behind Kings House on Hove seafront.
It is part of the redevelopment of the former Brighton and Hove City Council offices there, which were sold to developers for £26 million in 2017.
Plans for 160 flats were approved a year later by the council’s planning committee.
But there were concerns raised about the lack of affordable homes being included in the scheme and about the lack of car parking.
This time last year The Argus reported on how workmen were completing the demolition of the former 1960s’ office extensions behind Kings House in Grand Avenue and Second Avenue.
Kings House itself is a Grade II listed building constructed in the 1870s in Queens Gardens, facing the seafront.
About 70 of the new flats will be contained inside the building.
Meanwhile two new towers are being built, one will have ten storeys and will contain 62 flats, the other will contain 28.
The outline of these new buildings can now be seen as floors are being added by the builders at the site.
Only 28 of the new flats will be classed as “affordable” homes.
Previously Labour Councillor Clare Moonan, who represents central Hove residents, said: “There should be 68 affordable units but we have only 28.”
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Neighbours raised fears that their properties would be “overlooked” and “overshadowed” by the new development.
It was revealed that the developer was to pay £265,000 as a contribution towards the city council’s coffers.
A report said that £13,000 could be spent in Kingsway, Palmeira Square, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove Park, Aldrington Recreation Ground – also known as Wish Park – or Hove Lagoon.
A further £164,000 for parks and gardens could be spent in the same places.
Councillors wanted some of the funds to be spent on improvements in Kingsway near to the development.
Oakley Property is marketing the Kings House flats as swanky one, two and three-bedroom apartments, and says an underground car park for up to 80 vehicles is also being made.
To find out more about the development visit kingshousehove.co.uk.
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