St Catherine’s Lodge comprises four large semi-detached houses dating from c1854 that were conjoined in c1927, with a new central link addition, to form a single hotel.
Cliftonville
LLHA0267
St Catherine’s Lodge comprises four large semi-detached houses dating from c1854 that were conjoined in c1927, with a new central link addition, to form a single hotel (now vacant).
Although built at the same time each original pair was architecturally distinct; the present building forms an eclectic, picturesque grouping with an animated roofline, but made coherent through a commonality of materials such as red brick and roughcast.
The property is located in a prominent position on the Kingsway within the Cliftonville conservation area, which was developed from the 1840s.
Plots were sold singly and houses built to order, which accounts for the different styles and sizes of properties in the area, but the majority are in a classical, stucco-face style evocative of the Regency period or, later, in more Italianate style. This property is markedly different and retains many features of quality and craftsmanship such as Dutch gables, stone mullioned windows, ornate chimneys and decorative brickwork.
ii. The property is an early example of development in the Cliftonville estate and despite undergoing alterations and extensions over its history retains many original and historic features of quality and craftsmanship including Dutch gables, canted and segmental bays, stone mullioned windows, ornate chimneys, stringcourses and decorative brickwork.
The original separate houses are still clearly discernible. Numbers 11 and 12, the western-most portion, is markedly similar to the nearby numbers 42 and 43 Medina Villas, which are grade II listed and dated c1852 in Jacobethan style.
The architect was F D Banister, who designed much of the Cliftonville estate (as well as Hove Railway Station) and lived at number 42. Given the similarity and proximity, it is very likely that he was also responsible for numbers 11 and 12 here. The original central paired entrances have been replaced by windows, presumably at the time of the hotel conversion.
Numbers 9 and 10 to the east, on the corner, had a larger footprint and by c1871 had been combined into a single property, subsequently used for a decade as a private school. The building was known as St Catherine’s Lodge from the late 1880s onwards. It was larger and symmetrical but is now more architecturally diverse, with some Arts and Crafts style elements evident, especially to the side and rear, that may likely reflect its alteration in the 1890s. It is very much appreciated ‘in the round’.
Between the two original buildings was added a two storey link in the late 1920s when the buildings were combined as a hotel, seemingly also forming the entrance and reception area. The link is entirely sympathetic in its materials and architectural detailing but has been marred by an additional flat-roofed storey was added in the 1970s, replacing tall ornate chimney stacks.
iv. Numbers 11 and 12 – were likely the work of the notable architect F D Banister, who carried out much work in Hove and especially in the original establishment of the Cliftonville area.
Additionally, in 1893 the Hove Commissioners passed plans for alterations and additions at 9 and 10 drawn up for Stephen Ralli by the well-known builder J T Chappell, who was also responsible for other notable buildings in Hove including the original Hove Town Hall, Hove Hospital, houses in nearby King’s Gardens, and the Connaught Road Schools and Davigdor Road Schools. It is not known exactly what changes were made externally as a result of Chappell’s work, but this house exhibits some architectural elements typical of the 1890s
i. In 1895 Stephen Ralli and his family moved into number 9 and 10. Ralli was a member of a wealthy Greek trading family who donated money to many causes throughout Brighton and Hove. He lived there until his death in 1902 and his widow continued to live there until her death in the mid-1920s, after which the house became a hotel. The grade II listed Ralli Hall on Denmark Villas was built in 1913 as a memorial to him. Numbers11/12 to the west has large, incised crosses in the Dutch gables; these may reflect the original owner and occupant of number12, a Rev Tibbutt.
v. The present form of the building is the outcome of changes representing the evolution of the building first as single private residences, which were combined to form St. Catherine’s Lodge hotel in the 1920s, reflecting how large single houses were no longer affordable as society changed post-war. Number 9/10 was also used as gentlemen’s preparatory school between c1873 to 1884, a time when Brighton & Hove were home to a large number of private schools, often in large houses.
i. The property is located in a prominent location within the Cliftonville conservation area, with important views of it from the public open space at Medina Terrace. Its distinctive character and appearance, including many elements of good quality architectural detailing, making a positive contribution to the character and appearance to the conservation area. In addition itpm is atypical in style, design and materials compared to the surrounding area as and pre-dates the Italianate develoent that followed in the streets to the north. Therefore it provides visual interest and variety to the street scene.
i. The property is considered to be a good example of a design and style that is uncommon in the Cliftonville conservation area and the city generally. It is part of the vestiges of an enclave of similar grand Dutch gabled brick houses that previously existed at the southern end of Medina Villas, including one immediately to the west, demolished to make way for The Priory apartment block.
i. Although subject to significant alteration and extensions from its original houses in the 20th century, the building known as St Catherine’s Lodge retains a sense of completeness and many external features of quality and craftsmanship. On the Medina Villas side is the remnants of the brick boundary wall that originally extended along the southern frontage of the houses, enclosing front gardens, but which was removed for road widening in the later 1960s.
2023
