Press Dispensary - July 04, 2008 - Award-wining architectural practice DRP Architects (http://www.drparchitects.co.uk ) has been granted planning permission to restore the historic Brighton seafront bandstand. Approved and funded by Brighton and Hove council, the £850,000 project will bring the Grade II listed landmark back to its former glory, making it - once again – the jewel in the city’s seafront crown.
The bandstand, also known as the ‘Birdcage’ because of its domed roof and elaborate latticed arches, is considered one of the finest examples of a Victorian bandstand, and is the only remaining bandstand in Brighton. Designed by Philip Lockwood, who also designed Brighton’s Preston Park and the Preston Park clock tower, the bandstand was built in 1884 - making its restoration long overdue.
Now weather-worn and rust-ridden, the once beautiful bandstand enjoyed its heyday in the early 1900s, complimenting the Prince Regent's oriental Brighton Pavilion and the now derelict West Pier. Despite decades of neglect, the bandstand is still very atmospheric, conjuring up a bygone era of brass bands, striped deckchairs and tea dances.
Brighton-based DRP Architects, known for its high quality work and sensitive developments, will be lead consultants for the project. Using both modern and traditional techniques, it will oversee an architecturally accurate reconstruction of the bandstand whilst also ensuring that the building is relevant to Brighton’s 21st century beachfront.
The top part of the bandstand will be sympathetically restored to stage concerts and other events, and a bridge connecting the bandstand with the promenade will be reinstated. The former public toilets on the ground floor will be replaced with space for a café or restaurant which, once rented, will make the ongoing preservation of the building a commercially viable venture.
A landscaping scheme will complete the project and connect the bandstand visually to its seafront location. Tenders to carry out the restoration are now being submitted, and the first phase of the restoration is expected to begin in September 2008, with completion scheduled for early 2009.
Giles Ings the DRP director responsible for the project, says: “The Brighton bandstand is an architecturally, culturally and historically significant building, but has stood derelict for over 30 years. Now, with planning permission and funding secured, we will see this wonderful Victorian structure – and iconic image of Brighton – take pride of place once again on the city’s seafront.”
Brighton and Hove councillor for the environment, Geoffrey Theobald, says: “Restoration of the bandstand is a priority for this council. Our planning officers demanded the highest possible standards, and we were very impressed with the application submitted by DRP, which included a state of the art three-dimensional survey.”
- Ends -
Notes for editors
For further information, please contact:
Olli Blair, director
Tel: 01273 888080
Email: olli.b@drparchitects.co.uk
Site: www.drparchitects.co.uk
Published by Press Dispensary Ltd
Phone: 0845 430 4433
email: ask@pressdispensary.co.uk
Site: http://www.pressdispensary.co.uk