Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton’s original themed hotel, was transformed into a series of live-in music studios this week to host a music production retreat.

The hotel on Regency Square, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, hired out its 19 themed rooms to professional songwriters, musicians and producers participating in ‘Pro7ect’.

Lisa Fitzgibbon, creator of Pro7ect, said: “We build ‘creative spaces in amazing places’. We find places that are inspirational and quirky and we bring the gear to the space, so you don’t have to go to a studio.”

The concept is designed to pool new talent with production experts, such as Ivor Novello nominated record producer Ian Wallman giving people access to what is often an exclusive music industry.

Eva Margolies, ex staff writer for MCA Records, who has come from New York to participate in the project, said: “We’ve just been writing, writing, writing. Out of the four songs I’ve been involved in this week, I think two will be pitchable, and that’s very exciting.”

Several of the rooms were transformed into pop-up music studios with more than £40,000 worth of production equipment, and last night participating artists showcased their results with live performances throughout the hotel.

Simon Drinkwater, 33, who also took part, said: “The hotel is the perfect environment for it, some of the rooms are soundproofed, which is ideal for recording. Spending five days in the same building with other people could get a bit infuriating, but with the hotel staff plying us with food and drink, they’ve made it a really pleasurable experience.”

A small maintenance and design team are at work in the hotel every day, continuously evolving the décor and creating newly themed rooms often in conjunction with bands and Brighton businesses such as gentlemen’s clothing store Gresham Blake and lingerie range Ophelia Fancy, who both have designed rooms.

Mark Gibson, who has been general manager at the hotel since it began, said: “We’ve always got loads going on here, open mics, comedy nights and synthesiser nights every month. This year we’re celebrating 15 years of Hotel Pelirocco with a series of monthly parties.

“This Sunday we’ve got a Sid and Nancy look-a-like competition linked with our Sex Pistols room.”

The hotelier is particularly excited about the i360 that will begin construction directly opposite Regency Square in the summer.

He added: “The area will receive a massive uplift. It’s going to connect Brighton and Hove and improve an area which hasn’t been so looked after. We’re going to try and theme a room around the i360, so watch this space.”

Hotel hit list

Hotel Yorba – The White Stripes

Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis Presley

Hotel California – Eagles

Little Hotel Room – Ray Charles and Merle Haggard

Home Motel – Willie Nelson

Bed And Breakfast Man – Madness