THE site of one of Brighton’s most controversial buildings has changed hands for an undisclosed fee.

Contracts have been agreed for the sale of the two-acre former Amex House site in Edward Street to a joint venture between First Base, a mixed-use developer, and Patron Capital, an investment house.

The site, formerly known as the Wedding Cake for the building’s dramatic layered architecture, will now be the focus of intense consultations as the new use for the plot is determined.

First Base and Patron Capital say they are proposing a “vibrant new mixed-use development which will help to revive this area of Brighton”.

The next step will be a “detailed stakeholder engagement programme” according to First Base.

A spokeswoman clarified: “In the next few weeks we’ll be arranging a series of meetings with residents, we’ll host events, if residents want us to meet them in their front room, we’ve done that before.

“We typically do larger meetings in community centre rooms in evenings and weekends.

“People can talk to us about what they want from the site, what does the area need or not need, but we’re very flexible.”

The company will also be meeting representatives of local businesses and the city council.

After the initial round of consultations, there will be design work done by the developers before further rounds of consultation and potentially then a planning application submitted.

The site does not have specific planning permissions, but will be subject to the planning brief for the Edward Street area.

Paul Brown, vice president, American Express, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with First Base and Patron Capital. First Base has established credentials in Brighton and we have been impressed by their track record.”

Representatives of both American Express and First Base insisted the purchase price of the plot would not be revealed.

The site has been the scene of major demolition work since the beginning of this summer as the former Amex House came down.

First Base has a mixed portfolio of projects, from residential to retail to workspace.

One of its most prominent projects is East Village, Stratford in London, where it is managing a £300 million portfolio of homes that is a key element of the 2012 Olympic Legacy.

Patron Capital represents approximately €3.4 billion of capital across several funds and investments, investing in property totalling more than 65 million square feet since 1999.