Looking up at Embassy Court from the car park. Picture © C24
Embassy Court, the magnificent modernist masterpiece on Brighton's seafront, was designed by Wells Coates and completed for Maddox properties in 1935.
The building has a fascinating history, becoming the tallest building on the Sussex city's seafront when it was built and, following years of neglect, it has now been restored to its former glory.
Built on the site of a former villa, the 11-storey construction starts on King's Road and curves round into Western Street in a 44ft-deep L-shape.
Each floor is comprised of seven flats, six of which are accessed directly from the lift lobbies on each floor. The uppermost flat is accessed from walkways snaking around the back of the building.
The King's Road facade. Picture © C24
The flats were initially only available to rent at a cost of £150-£500 a year, a sum which would have secured a substantial pad at the time.
Selling the decadence of life in Brighton, the interiors were carefully planned to accommodate modern luxuries, and famous former residents include actors Laurence Olivier and Rex Harrison, Brighton Rock author Graham Greene and blonde bombshell Diana Dors.
The kitchens in each flat are barely large enough to accommodate assembling a gin and tonic, so it's just as well the affluent residents could order food from the restaurant where Flat 1 is now.
A bank was located in the area now occupied by Flat 3, with vaults and space for luggage storage below.
An original curved door. Picture © C24
The building was fully serviced, with 35 attentive staff on hand, and the lifts served as a makeshift post service, emptied twice daily.
The residents of Flat 33, one of the large three-bedroom corner properties, kindly allowed our group to snoop around their flat. Emerging from the lift outside the front door bypasses the back stairs staff used as a rat run.
The flat still has its original curved door, leading into the living room where you are faced with a bank of windows facing on to the balconies with spectacular views over the promenade below.
Looking out to sea from the roof terrace. Picture © C24
The roof terrace is accessed by the back stairs, jutting vertiginously above the car park. The glorious views from here evoke visions of residents relaxing with a Martini at the sadly-departed rooftop bar.
Despite the magnificent panorama, we were assured by our guide that the best sights were to be glimpsed from the car park at the back of the building.
Looking up from there, the crisp lines and sleek curves of the building (sympathetically restored five years ago) prove breathtaking.
The view from the roof terrace steps. Picture © C24
At the time, the building had fallen into such disrepair that the Crown took over the freehold in the late 1990s.
The construction of Embassy Court means it is particularly vulnerable to often harsh coastal weather conditions. Wind and rain had worn away the concrete, rusting the metal frame beneath.
After the building was certified as structurally sound in 2002, longtime fan Sir Terence Conran stepped in to help with the first survey of works.
The building and its freehold are now owned and run by the residents, who formed the group Bluestorm to protect and preserve their glamorous seafront home.
The view of Embassy Court from the car park. Picture © C24
The project manager, designer of the entrance doors and master plasterer all live in the building, and played key roles in the £4.2 million refurbishment. The remaining residents had to adapt to the building works that were going on around them, with up to five different contractors on the site at any one time replacing wiring, windows and water systems.
The future now looks bright for Embassy Court, with residents able to sit back and enjoy living in this beautiful building. Future possibilities include developing the water tanks on the roof into a usable space and commissioning a new mural for the lobby.
Further tours and exhibitions will be taking place at Embassy Court during The Brighton Festival. For more information visit Embassy Court online.
