£750k Historic England grant kickstarts Madeira Terrace restoration
Historic England has committed £750,000 towards the restoration of Madeira Terrace.
The significant grant will help kickstart the renovation of the cast iron arches of the Grade II* listed Victorian seaside landmark.
Phase 1 of the project will see 28 of the 151 ornate arches and bays restored and a new, fully accessible lift installed. The start date is expected to be announced later this month.
Madeira Terrace is currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, which raises awareness of the challenges facing some of our country’s most significant places and focuses efforts to safeguard them for the future.
Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “The restoration of Madeira Terrace’s Victorian structure is an ambitious and unique project and we are grateful to Historic England for this award, which represents a vote of confidence in our plans.
“Completing this first phase with Historic England’s support will showcase how the Terrace can be successfully restored in an authentic and thoroughly Brighton way and also help to attract funding for subsequent phases.
“We are now investing in a series of major projects to make Brighton & Hove’s seafront the most exciting in the country. As part of that, we’re committed to the restoration of Madeira Terrace and want to proceed with it as soon as possible.”
Madeira Terrace is a monumental 865-metre-long covered terrace and walkway, with a shelter hall and 3-stage lift tower, built between 1890 and 1897.
It is thought to be the longest continuous cast-iron structure in Britain, possibly the world. It was designed for promenading and as a place to take in the sea view.
It also connected Brighton’s new terraced houses and their occupants to the sea, at a time when sea bathing was first fashionable.
It remains a much-loved part of Brighton & Hove’s heritage, which the public is eager to see brought back to life, as evidenced by the generous £440,000 donated during a 2017 crowdfunding drive to raise funds towards the restoration.
Tom Foxall, Regional Director Historic England said: “The restoration of Madeira Terrace is an ambitious undertaking but one that is needed to secure the future of this extraordinary structure for the people of Brighton & Hove.
“This essential funding will assist in de-risking the initial stages of the project. We fully support the council’s repair strategy and look forward to work beginning on site imminently.”
Madeira Terrace’s structure has continued to decline, and it has progressively been closed off to the public since 2012. Historic England has provided ongoing advice and support on its restoration and potential funding opportunities.
The Terrace had its listing upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* in March 2020, on Historic England’s advice.
The upgrade recognised the structure’s architectural and historic importance and allowed for it to be added to the Heritage at Risk Register for the first time. This has unlocked funding from Historic England that is only available to buildings and structures that are most in need.
Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven said: “The restoration of Madeira Terrace is hugely important, not just for protecting our unique heritage, but for breathing new life into the east of the seafront. Historic England’s support is a crucial step in bringing this much-loved landmark back to its former glory and a welcome sign of confidence in Brighton.
“I, like many in our city, have watched the terraces deteriorate over time with great sadness. We’ve lost this vital public space east of the pier, and I’m delighted we’re revitalising it for a whole new generation.
“This is a historic turning point that will be a proud sign of what we can achieve together.”
Madeira Terrace’s decorative ironwork features marine-inspired details including the faces of Poseidon and Aphrodite as keystones of the arches. The metalwork was cast at the Phoenix Foundry in nearby Lewes.
Madeira Terrace was designed by Philip C Lockwood (1821 to 1908), the Brighton Borough Surveyor.
He was also responsible for the spectacular Bandstand, creating the Corn Exchange from the Prince Regent's riding school and adapting other buildings on the same site to form Brighton Museum and Art Gallery.
Read more about the Madeira Terrace restoration project.
