In 2004, Channel Four viewers were asked to nominate the country’s ugliest building. The Argus invited readers to choose the ugliest building in Sussex.
I had no hesitation in selecting two crumbling edifices I passed on a daily basis: Anston House, a long-time derelict block in Preston Road, Brighton, and the once-splendid Allen West engineering building in Lewes Road, which resembled something out of a disaster movie.
Driving across town recently I could not resist pausing at the two sites to see what has changed. To my delight, the old Allen West building has returned to its glory. Sadly, though, there was no change at Anston House, save for a high-security fence.
Other buildings nominated at the time included the Ericsson building in Burgess Hill, the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne, Teville Gate in Worthing and New England House in Brighton.
I wonder if any improvements have helped turn these ugly ducklings into beautiful swans?
Michael Parker, Oakdene Crescent, Portslade
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