Town to Sea Creative Quarter

Project Justification 

These interlinked building projects will rescue three buildings (Eagle House, 12 Claremont and the Observer Building) and deliver:  

A Creative Digital Hub supporting emerging enterprises and learners of all ages with digital facilities, highspeed IT infrastructure, dedicated VR studio and large multi-use hall space. 

A Wellbeing Centre with a Public Living Room, 12 homes for people leaving supported accommodation; and new commercial uses that lead into a new piece of town centre public realm; a Gallery and Event space, creative artist studios and a community hub. Working with Project Art Works, the space will become ultra-accessible for disabled people, bringing those with support needs into the centre of our community.

OBX, our creative digital technology hub, is now open and active in the mezzanine level of the Observer Building with an exciting schedule of events currently taking place.

Planning permission has been granted for 12 Claremont which will become a vibrant and inclusive creative space, including a gallery for Project Art Works.

Planning permission has been granted for Eagle House and work on the site has started. The Towns Fund has helped to bring in a large Youth Investment Fund grant which will create new town centre spaces and facilities for young people at Eagle House (The Common Room, 27 - 29 Cambridge Road, Hastings, TN34 1DJ)

Redevelopment work for both sites is due to begin in April 2024.

Since 2014, Hastings Commons has brought over 8,000 sqm of floorspace into custodian ownership across the centre of Hastings, renovating them to a high quality, offering genuinely affordable rents, and supporting residents and business to collaborate and take more control of where they live and work.

The goal is secure community ownership forever, through the Hastings Commons Community Land Trust.

Outputs & Outcomes

• Bringing into use three historic buildings (1928 sq meters of formerly dilapidated space) in the central Hastings conservation area

• Three new, upgraded, and protected community hubs/spaces supporting local inclusive growth

• An increase in community engagement throughout the town, particularly with a focus on the next generation

• 16 new housing units created

• Creation of a gallery 110m² (one enterprise) and nine incubation studios; 300m² digital / film innovation facilities and two new public spaces

• 20 new jobs