Black Lion Street, Brighton
8 -13 Black Lion Street consisted of two buildings, one an empty, run down warehouse dating from the mid-19th century and the other a late seventies concrete framed 5-storey office building with basement parking. The street itself had over the years become a seldom used, dark and depressing transit route from Brighton’s Lanes to the seafront.
Piers Gough of CZWG was employed to produce a design that would transform and expand the office building and restore the listed warehouse. His completed design has created an extremely welcoming, bright and interesting building that is already attracting many people to the area. In addition to the work to the two structures, the street has been udpgarded to provide pedestrian priority and thus has made the street more accessible and welcoming.
Developer Karis negotiated with Cheesmur as the preferred contractor and the completed design has enabled them to draw tenants from companies such as the Jamie Oliver Group, Lucky Voice and i-Crossing, who now rent space in the building and thus contribute to the thriving activity in a once deserted street.
The area is now a vibrant space occupied by young, interesting companies who appreciate the quality of the design and construction. Amenity space has been created within the building as well as the external areas for office and restaurant users, including a 4000 sq ft roof garden and a coloured weather board cladding system which presents an original and memorable façade to the main building. The use of render and timber doors and windows on the listed warehouse building helps to maintain it’s identity whilst presenting a modern aspect to the revitalised street.
Cheesmur worked closely with their local supply chain partners and the local authority and were proud to receive the LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Southern Award 2009 for best commercial building over £1 million in value.