Our Story

The future... Completing the renovations

We've made colossal progress to date but still have so much more to do! We're currently working on:

• The Vaults: This unique part of the building which has tunnels extending beyond the footprint of the building will have new services, entrance doors and a floor put in along with a system to deal with the damp to make them usable. We hope to complete this work by the end of 2024.
• Convert the 2nd & 3rd floors to 12 capped-rent flats for those struggling to find affordable housing in Hastings (Due to be complete March 2026)
• 4th Floor: A public bar and roof terrace with panoramic views of the sea and the castle (due to be complete Summer 2025)
• 5th Floor: A new youth-focused space (plans in progress)

A note on retrofit...

The deep retrofit of the Observer Building embodies Hastings Commons’ principle of "building on what you already have" which shows that preserving and improving existing structures is not only respectful of heritage but also vital for sustainability. By opting for deep retrofit over demolition and new construction, the project avoids an estimated 1,068 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, based on the lifetime whole-life emissions savings of 267.07 kgCO₂ per square metre (UKGBC, 2024). This highlights the immense environmental value of retaining embodied carbon in existing buildings while modernising to reduce their day-to-day carbon emissions.

In fact, the energy saved compared to building anew is 5.16 million kWh, which is enough to power 1,400 homes for a year or 14 homes for a century (DESNZ, 2024). The Observer Building demonstrates how revitalising what already exists can balance sustainability, functionality, and community-led heritage, setting an example of the benefits of working with—rather than replacing—our built environment.