Brighton: Plans to transform Western Road H&M building

Curzon Street Partners wants to renovate the current 181-185 Western Road site in Brighton and build housing and offices behind the building currently home to H&M.

Proposals would see the retention of the retail space on the ground floor of Western Road, the renovation and refurbishment of its Art Deco façade, the improvement of the street frontage to Regent Hill and Marlborough Street, the creation of offices,16 flats and a three-bedroom house.

The house would be built in Marlborough Street to be “in keeping with the neighbouring cottages”.

A third and fourth floor of office accommodation would be built to the rear of the site set back from Marlborough Mews and Regent Hill.

A diagram of proposals (Image: Curzon Street Partners / Landivar)

A new two-storey edge to Regent Hill would be built to replace the existing two-storey brick wall.

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A set back fourth and fifth floor would be added to accommodate the proposed apartments above the existing three-storey Western Road façade.

Curzon has put on an exhibition today until 7.30pm at Wagner Hall, Brighton, to show the scheme for feedback before it submits a planning application.

“When considered as a whole, the proposal will introduce new uses that will complement the existing retail space, re-purpose underutilised areas and future-proof the building for the long term,” said design boards.

The proposed Regent Hill elevation (Image: Curzon Street Partners / Landivar)

The site has a rich retail history and was formerly used by Woolworths, who expanded the site and leased 185 to Clintons Cards and a bookshop, from 1916 until its closure in 2008.

It has been a H&M ever since.

A before and after looking north east from the bottom of Marlborough Street (Image: Curzon Street Partners/ Landivar)

Curzon said the site has a “high ratio of storage to retail space, including some redundant areas in the west and north sections” and that its aim is to preserve the architectural style of the building while “modernising” it to “better serve contemporary needs, ensuring it continues to play a central role in Brighton’s vibrant commercial landscape”.

Curzon said it aims to increase the site’s biodiversity and improve surface water retention.

The existing site boundary in Regent Hill (Image: Curzon Street Partners/ Landivar)

“The proposed landscape design includes biodiverse green roofs on all non-terrace roofs within the development. The proposed sedum mix will create a low maintenance, hardy habitat suitable for the coastal environment, with added benefits for surface water management,” said planning boards.

“The upper terraces – planned for both residential and office uses – will feature evergreen grasses and hardy perennials that will thrive and bloom during the spring and summer months.

proposed office frontage onto Regent Hill (Image: Curzon Street Partners / Landivar)

“Similarly, the lower terraces and inner courtyards – also designated for residential and office spaces – will be planted with native trees to bring further greening into the core of the development.

“Further planting along Regent Hill will be introduced, including planted terraces and large raised planters at street level.

“There is also potential to plant new street trees in front of the building on Regent’s Hill, adding to the urban greenery.

“Swift boxes will be installed at roof level, while bee bricks and bat boxes will be incorporated into suitable elevations to enhance and support local ecology.”

People can give their feedback on the proposals until October 22 by visiting www.181-185westernroad.co.uk