Marine Gate, Brighton

Marine Gate, Brighton Home

A Community of 132 Apartments on Brighton Seafront

Early History

The site on which Marine Gate now stands was purchased by the Borough of Brighton from local land owners on 26 May 1931. The site was leased to Marine Parade Estates (1936) Limited with permission to build a block of flats. Marine Gate was opened on 5th May 1939, by the Mayor of Brighton, Councillor J Talbot Nanson. Upon opening Marine Gate, was described as 'a new building of 120 Modern Flats in a perfect situation on the South Downs Cliffs directly facing the sea'.The architects, Messrs. Wimperis, Simpson & Guthrie FF.R.I.B.A., of South Molton Street, London W1 , included a restaurant and cocktail bar in their design, hence there were then fewer flats available than there are to-day. At the time of its completion in 1939, there were to be no owner-occupiers. All the flats were to be rented on 3, 5 or 7 year leases, at rents of between £140 and £475 per annum.The Owner's Managing agents at the time were Messrs Fox & Sons, who had a letting office on the premises.The nine flats now identified as Flats R1 to R9 originally formed a part of the main Restaurant, together with a bar and accommodation for the kitchen, the staff and other associated support facilities. A Silver Grill Restaurant was located in what is now Garage No. 38, and the other integral garages in the West Wing were originally designed and built as shops. The flats currently identified as Flats A9 and A10 were originally part of a grand Main Entrance Hall.The present Flat A12 was initially used as office accommodation. The present General Office was fitted out as a telephone exchange for the entire building, with exchange lines to all flats, since none of them then had dedicated private lines.

Marine Gate on opening in 1939.

Marine Gate shortly after opening

Artist's impression from the original marketing brochure. Click here for more material.

Click here to see the article on the opening of Marine Gate in the Brighton and Hove Herald.

Marketing Material

Sales Brochure

Click on the flat layouts right, to enlarge. These show plans for the upper floor of the building, which remain similar today. Parts of floor 'A' and all of floor 'R' were created from the restaurant and staff quarters which were converted after the war.

Scroll through the pages below to see the rest of the marketing brochure, plus the rental price for the various flats in the building at the time.

West wing

Central wing

East Wing

Cover
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Page 12
Rentals
rentals3.jpg

World War 2

During the Second World War, not all of the flats were let. Those which had no private tenants were used as accommodation for naval personnel who could not be housed in Roedean School, which at that time was temporarily known as H.M.S. Vernon.

The adjacent gas works at Black Rock became a German target, and as a result Marine Gate was bombed on a number of occasions during the war. Eventually it was damaged to such an extent that it could no longer be occupied without major repairs. The building was vacated and was left empty for the remainder of the war.

After the war Marine Gate was repaired and reoccupied. However, times had changed and the market for serviced apartments had disappeared. The restaurants, the bar and their related facilities were converted into the additional flats that exist today, and the shops soon became garages to be held on separate leases.

Marine Gate's close proximity to Black Rock gas works.

Photograph taken by Lt Wenger, a German pilot, during his attack on the gas works.

Gasholder damage at Black Rock following a German air raid.

West Wing
Centre Wing
East Wing
East Wing

The above information and that on the previous page have been based on an article written by former manager Mr M D Nixon, which originally featured in 'Marine Gate News' in March 1989.

The original article can be found here.

Damage to the block during World War 2.

Today

Marine Gate Today

Today, Marine Gate is home to 132 flats. These range in size from small studios to large 4 bedroom apartments. The flat numbers to the building are arranged in the American style with the floors being allocated letters (A-J). The flats are numbered according to their horizontal position in the block, and are numbered 1-17.

The exception to this is the ground floor of the west wing, where the apartments have been converted from the old restaurant. These are prefixed with the letter 'R'.

The basement of the building houses an underground garage with allocated spaces owned by leaseholders. The garage also houses a car-wash bay and cycle store open to all residents.

Further garages are situated within the grounds, again owned by leaseholders. A permit system operates on the two car parks at the front and west sides of the building. These spaces are not allocated and further details on the parking scheme can be found

The grounds extend to just under four acres. There is a well-kept garden at the front and east of the building, with a grassed area to the north. The gardens are tended by a visiting gardener, plus several residents.

Marine Gate has three main entrances. The centre foyer houses the security lodge which is staffed 24 hours a day. Seven passenger lifts serve every apartment in the building, along with seven goods lifts serving the rear of the flats.

Some flats have allocated parking in either the basement, or seperate garages to the rear of the building. Every leaseholder has access to the cycle store (right).

MGparking.pdf

Marine Gate has a well kept south-facing front garden, which is used to hold a residents garden party in the summer. The north side of the building is mostly lawn.

Living

Living at Marine Gate

Living in Marine Gate is unique compared with other apartments in Brighton. The service charge includes many additional services not found in other blocks. These include: Rubbish and recycling collection Monday-Saturday from outside each flat24 hour on site security guard with comprehensive CCTV coverage of the building and groundsDaily cleaning of main common waysWater chargesConstant hot waterBackground heating (October to March) fired by our modern gas boiler plant in the basementMains and soft water supplied by our central water softenerAn on-site manager, assistant and maintenance personnelOther on-site facilities include luggage storage, a library, car wash facilities and friendly social scene and annual garden partyOn purchasing an apartment, each owner will aquire a number of 'A Shares' in Marine Gate Holdings. This is the parent company of Marine Gate Management Ltd. who is responsible for the day to day running of the building. The shares can be only transferred with the sale of an apartment, thus every flat owner 'or leaseholder' has input to how the block is run.Marine Gate Holdings is represented by a board of directors who are elected at the Annual General Meeting in June. Any leaseholder can be nominated as a director and Marine Gate currently has a board with a wide range of backgrounds including building, banking, healthcare and civil engineering.Major maintenance of the building is financed through a healthy reserve fund. Recent projects and those planned include:comprehensive re-wiring of the lighting and emergency lighting in the building common ways (complete)installation of a new fire alarm system (complete)various structural repairs to the building (underway)external redecoration of the building (start 2012)upgrade works to the passenger and goods lifts (planned 2015)

24 Hour security is provided by an external company, whilst three in house maintenance staff and three cleaners take care of the building.

An on-site manager and assistant look after day-to-day administration and running of Marine Gate.

Our modern gas fired boiler plant provides year round hot water and seasonal background heating to all flats.

Most of our external repairs are undertaken by trained rope access technicians using specialist anchor points on the roof.

Article

From the March 1989 Newsletter

MARINE GATE – 50 YEARS AGO

MR. M D NIXON

With much publicity Marine Gate opened as the most up-to-date fully serviced block of flats in the South of England – a claim which was in no way overstated as it was the then Owner’s intention to create service flats offering a full Hotel service. There were no owner-occupiers in those days. Flats were rented on 3, 5 or 7 year leases but, at that time, there was so much against success as the “Phoney war” was with us and the sight of a manned Bofors Gun on the cliff top opposite the building no doubt scared prospective tenants away. It was even said by some people that the rents were too high, but I when I tell you what these rentals were (click here) you may question my memory. Fortunately I still have a copy of the original brochure which confirms this information.Roedean School had now become H.M.S. Vernon, soon to be over-flowing with Naval officers and personnel. That was the picture when I was asked to contact a Mr Bloom, the owner of the Norfolk Hotel, regarding the luxury flat and Hotel Management. It was explained that the building was only half let, but negotiations with the Naval Authorities were being conducted to accommodate the overflow of Officers from H.M.S. Vernon. The novelty of this situation – tenants and Naval personnel all under the same roof – seems to e to offer the prospect of a challenge and the possibility of financial benefit to the building. Terms were agreed and I was offered, and accepted, the position. By now I realised that Mr Bloom was the financial and driving force in the creation of Marine Gate.I established residence, making a detailed tour of inspection and acquainted myself with the staff and tenants.Entering the building, the Main Hall was most impressive; almost twice the size as at present. It incorporated the position now held by Flats A9 & A10. Mr Wilson’s office was then a Telephone Exchange with a 150-line PBX Board. The Post Office did not then supply private lines into blocks of flats, so each flat had its phone connected to the Company’s Switchboard and calls were debited to the respective tenants.The large Restaurant now the site of all the R. Flats, was in keeping with the rest of the building – furnished and decorated in the latest style. The moderate tariff was of great convenience to tenants and for entertaining. From memory, breakfast 2/- (10p) lunch 3/6d. (17.5p) and dinner 5/- (25p), and room service to all flats was available if required. It was managed by the Chef and his wife together with an adequate staff. A Licensed Bar attached to the Restaurant was a very popular meeting place for tenants, naval personnel and their friends.The Resident Head Porter was responsible for a small staff of Porters and Stokers, the boilers then being fed with solid fuel pushed into the fire boxes by worm drives. I believe it was about this time that I first met Mr Joe King (owner of the plumbing firm when this article was published in 1989). And quite recently he and I celebrated a fifty year friendship. The Head Porter’s wife was Housekeeper and with her staff of maids was in charge of 24 furnished flats, the 6 guest rooms, and the general cleanliness of the building.The rents for unfurnished flats ranged from 4 bedrooms £450, 3 bedrooms £350, 2 bedrooms £225 and 1 bedroom £140 – all per annum and fully inclusive of rates and all services. The 2 bedroom furnished flats were from £10 per week, and the 1 bedroom £6 per week.Of the 6 integral garages in the West Wing, 5 were fitted with shop fronts and the very large one No. 38 was equipped as a Silver Grill Restaurant with a beautiful Dickensian frontage complete with bottled glass windows.I quickly settled down to managing the Block under War Time conditions and within the next few months was able to slightly increase the tenancy. I had the assistance of a very efficient Chief Petty Officer in allocating accommodation for the Naval Personnel – 5, 6 or 8 officers to a flat, and generally advising on all matters of a Naval nature.The afternoon and evening telephone exchange shifts were manned by two very attractive young girls – a fact soon discovered by the Navy lads. Although a “Strictly Private” notice was on the Exchange door, the boys seemed to be under the impression that this did not apply to them, and many a time I had to chase a little party of them out, the girls being unable to concentrate on incoming calls due to their amorous and boisterous attentions.Each Saturday night we held what we gaily called “A Ball” in the Restaurant. If it appeared that there might be a shortage of females I knew where some very attractive WRNS were stationed – namely at the building in Roedean Road which is now the John Howard Home . A call to the Commandant there usually resulted in their permission for a dozen or so girls to have late night passes. These evenings were greatly enjoyed by all – myself in particular – as they pushed the Bar and Restaurant turnover to higher figures.War conditions were worsening, but nevertheless we managed to keep our spirits high – the Tenants and Navy mixing well. The boys enjoyed playing pranks on each other and myself, and on one occasion the Head Porter reported that all the furniture in the West Wing Hall was missing. This consisted of a large carpet, 6 chairs and 2 small tables. A thorough search of the building sadly drew a blank. We knew very well that the boys were involved, but asking questions only resulted in injured and innocent expressions. We were consequently forced to enlist the assistance of their Chief Petty Officer who informed me that the furniture had been taken up over-night through the hatches and placed neatly on the roof. The culprits were ordered by the C.O. to replace things as they found them, and were watched with much amusement by the Marine Gate Staff who were instructed not to give them any assistance.Alas, however, our lives ordered lives were soon to end. The war had become vicious and Brighton was receiving more than its share of machine gunning and bombs from enemy aircraft. Without the slightest warning, one evening we were machine-gunned and on this occasion not a great deal of serious damage was suffered; a few windows were blown out, which we managed to have quickly repaired. One stray bullet went through one of the gas-holders situated nearby. A mighty flame arose, but thank goodness, no explosion followed.So life went on again at Marine Gate, with the progression of the War making things very difficult. The Restaurant catering became a real headache due to the scarcity of produce and Ministry of Food Regulations. Then, one morning, the Chef who had been in a nasty temper over some triviality stormed into my office and informed me that he intended to quit the job at the end of the month. This I knew to be a bluff as we had been through these tantrums several times previously. Anyway, I was tired of this veiled blackmail so I phoned the then Labour Exchange – “Could you please supply me with a good Chef?” “Yes we can” they said, so I left my office and went straight to the kitchen to inform the Chef that I was prepared to accept his notice. During a rather heated conversation, the bombers struck, I staggered back to where my office should have been and found it was completely wrecked. I was grateful to the chef and his temper which had saved me from serious injury and possible death. Nevertheless the Chef was out of a job, and so was I!The building now was right out of commission. The East Wing was badly damaged for three floors upwards and the blast had ripped through the building bringing down interior walls, blowing doors off their hinges and damaging gas and water pipes. A lift door on the sixth floor (No. 5 lift) was blown off and the lift shaft and corridor filled with dense smoke. A young lady, doubtless panic stricken, rushed out of her flat, obviously losing her bearings in the dense smoke, and fell to her death down the lift-shaft. A girder in the garage crashed down squashing several cars and the nearby door of the wine and spirit store (Now the Porter rest room) had been broken or blasted open. Stock was inevitably missing and vandals were in the building “at work”. However, a call to the Commandant at H.M.S. Vernon brought a detachment of armed sailors who soon cleared the building of all unauthorised persons.In spite of all this tragedy, one incident stands out as a highlight. A few days after the bombing, two young Officers called on me reminding me that a few days previously they had broken the glass in the Main Doors having arrived back one night the worse for wear, and I charged them £10 for replacement, but as we now had little or no glass left in the building, would I please refund their money! Needless to say, this I did, with some amusement.As much as possible we sealed up the building; appointed a caretaker, and with great sorrow and regret I left Marine Gate to take up a new appointment of a similar nature in London .
For Sale

Apartments Currently for Sale

3 Bedrooms OIEO £400,000

3 Bedrooms OIEO £415,000

2 Bedrooms £259,950

2 Bedrooms £200,000

1 Bedroom £190,000

1 Bedroom £199,950

For original floor plans of the building, click here

If you have an apartment for sale which is not shown here, please contact: webmaster_marinegate.co.uk

Disclamer

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Opening Article

From the Brighton and Hove Herald, 6th May 1939

BRIGHTON’'S NEW BLOCK OF LUXURY FLATS

Mayor Opens “Marine Gate”

Marine Gate, the massive block of luxury flats which stands on the coast road above Black Rock, was opened yesterday (Friday) morning by the Mayor of Brighton (Councillor J. Talbot Nanson)

With two or three notable exceptions, Brighton has been slow in following up her early adoption of the modern trend for large blocks of flats, and the present venture is a proof of its originator’s confidence in the future of the borough as a fashionable and progressive seaside resort.

Mr Maurice Bloom, who owns Courtenay Gate Hove, brought Marine Gate into being. He is the “man who changed his mind” for he built Marine Gate instead of his proposed pier at Hove.

“It is rather an unusual procedure for the Mayor of Brighton to open a building of this description,” said Councillor Talbot Nanson, “but when I was asked to do so I had no hesitation in accepting the invitation, if only for the opportunity to express my thanks in public to Mr Bloom for what he has done for Brighton and Hove.”

Added to the Amenities

“He has added considerably to the amenities of Brighton in a manner calculated to bring back to us some of the people who lived here years ago. We may live on ‘trippers’ but we have to provide for visitors of all types.”

The Mayor was accompanied by the Mayoress, Mrs D Scott Price and supported by the Mayor and Mayoress of Hove. Councillor and Mrs A W Hillman.

Councillor Hillman said that Hove claims Mr Bloom as a prominent and influential ratepayer, and as a “Jolly good fellow,” and he hoped his new venture would be a great success.

Mr Bloom responding considered that Brighton and Hove should be proud of their officials, who devote so much thought and work to the development of the two towns. None of the building with which he is connected in Brighton and Hove belongs to him personally, he said, but to the public all over the country who have put their confidence in his organisation.

“Finest Pleasure Resort”

“No block of flats on the south coast” he continued “has finer amenities within such a small radius than Marine Gate, and no other resort has the possibilities of Brighton, with its potential public of ten million people in London within easy distance. If we continue to make it enticing to the right people, it will be the finest pleasure resort in the land.”

Mr Bloom added that he had proof of the readiness of Londoners to come to Brighton to live, because 90 per cent of the inquiries he received for Astra House and Marine Gate were from London.

Mrs Bloom and Mr Jack Bartholomew accompanied Mr Bloom at the opening ceremony, and representatives from the firms connected with the enterprise included Mr C H Groves (managing director for Keith Cardale and Partners, Ltd) and Mr A Kilvington (for Messers Fox and Son, Astra House, Kings Road Brighton), joint managing agents; Messrs W B Simpson and S Atkinson for the architects; Messers Norman and Ronald Gee for the builders (Gee Walker and Slater Ltd.); and Mr G C Ovenden, clerk of the works.

Emphasis on Comfort

The building which was designed by Messers Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie FF.R.I.B.A., the London Architects, is built in the modern style combining spaciousness with simplicity and with a strong emphasis on Comfort. Every one of the 120 flats, ranging in size from three roomed bachelor establishments to family “mansions” containing six rooms, to bath rooms, a kitchen and a hall has a long balcony and windows facing the sea. The passages are carpeted and the walls and floors are as nearly as possible sound-proof to ensure quietness.

The modern restaurant and the garage under the building are accessible from all flats from the inside and there is ample parking space in the imposing drive up to the entrance.

The show flat was desirably furnished and decorated by Messers Ring’s who were represented at the opening by Mr W J Ring.

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