Modern Blah replaces Regency Splendour 😢

^{Be sure to click on the arrow to view it full screen!}

This photograph shows the smart Grand Avenue area of Hove which was constructed during the 1870s and '80s but, as you can see there aren't many of the original buildings left.

Although it is now a conservation area the more modern buildings often indicate where bombs hit during WWII.

The war inevitably changed the face of much of Hove and Grand Avenue was particularly badly hit. In the late 1940s big new buildings were constructed after the large private houses were demolished and the land cleared.

A few originals remain however. On the right of the picture there are a couple of lower buildings in yellow brick and at the near end is Kings House. These are the only survivors. 😢

Kings House was built between 1871 and 1874 and became a Grade II listed building in 1974. Originally it contained seven mansion blocks and went through a couple of owners before being bought by Brighton and Hove City Council in 1996.

In order to raise funds the council sold Kings House for £26 million in July 2017 and the new owners plan to turn it back into housing. So, that building at least, will turn full circle.

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