Hove Seaside Villas revisited

July 2011

April 2015

No.1 'Millionaires Row', originally the home of the developer Michael Puget Baxter and his wife, has undergone an extensive renovation over the last few years transforming it into a state-of-the-art modern, luxury home. Unfortunately, in the process, it has lost the quirky, castellated roof-line which so instantly signalled its Edwardian origins. Apparently this was on the advice of a planning officer to the architects*. As a result of this the owner now has a building indistinguishable, except for its location, from any of hundreds of other modern houses up and down the country.

Castellations, visible from Kingsway, still remain on the westernmost villas

No.4, also much modified, has recently come on the market for £4M. See Argus report.

*Conran & Partner

Transport myths exploded

Harold Turner in Hove

Harold George Turner, 1885 - 1961, started his career in the Brighton Borough Engineer's office in the 1900s. During WW1 he entered the family firm of Box & Turner and in 1920 set up his own architectural practice in Haywards Heath.

By the 1930's his style had crystallised into Sussex farmhouse vernacular, with references to the Arts & Craft showing in windows, chimneys and detailing and in the high quality of the interior fixtures and fittings. 

Such was the popularity of Turner's style that his houses are to be seen all over Haywards Heath and in the wider mid Sussex area including Eastbourne. They are always identifiable by the curly gutter brackets that were his signature.

In Brighton & Hove many of his houses can be seen in the Barrowfield estate in the Tongdean CA, a selection of which are shown below.

It is difficult to know how much of the original interiors have survived. Perhaps one day a proud owner will include their property on the Heritage Open Days programme? 

North Street progress

New kerbstones being laid on south side of North Street

The 'after' view with widened footways, trees, seats and a new pedestrian crossing.

Modern architecture - Tongdean Avenue

A nicely restrained 5 bedroom house replaced a conventional pitched-roof bungalow about 4 years ago. Makes me think 'Frank Lloyd Wright'.

Architect: Morgan Carn Partnership, Stanford Avenue.

Related post: Modern architecture - Cliff Road