Plans submitted for Brighton Hippodrome's transformation

The Lambor family, who bought the building in October 2020, has now submitted its proposals to Brighton and Hove City Council to give the venue a complete renovation.

The family, from Brighton, proposes to restore, renovat, and embark on part demolition works and extension works on the Hippodrome to create a new “mixed use development”.

This would include a “multi-format” performance space, office space, a restaurant/café with a rooftop bar and terrace, with the creation of a new “apart-hotel” building fronting Ship Street comprising three to seven storeys with retail space on the ground floor.

The Hippodrome’s fly-tower would be converted to create serviced office space and Hippodrome house would also be converted to provide a bar, members' club with external terrace and 16-room apart-hotel and “other associated works”.

An aerial view of the Hippodrome

According to planning documents, the front façade and all the elements of the main space of the Hippodrome internally will be retained, as well as all the key features of the Matcham Variety Theatre design.

Within the design statement the concept for the venue was described as the one that “Brighton has been missing for decades”.

“The Hippodrome restoration will lead to a new high quality public realm enriched by new active frontages of the proposed development and populated by the increased footfall created by this new leisure destination,” it said.

An artist's impression of Middle Street public realm

“The concept for the venue is the one that “Brighton has been missing for decades. The size and grandeur of a well-designed venue will allow for a capacity that the city is missing.

“It will complement the city’s portfolio of venues to enable the growth of the cultural and conference calendar.”

Read more: Fatboy Slim hopes to headline Hippodrome as opening date revealed

The Lambors, who run Matsim Properties, have already spent millions on the restoration, with work already taking place to stabilise the building, waterproof the roof and remove and treat dry rot.

Work has already taken place to stabilise the building

The Middle Street theatre’s new look is expected to be unveiled on November 22, 2024.

The date was chosen as November marks 60 years since the last live performance at the venue, which is thought to have been singer-songwriter Chuck Berry.

Hove DJ Fatboy Slim has already confirmed he would like to play at the Grade II listed building’s opening.

Throughout its lifetime since its opening in 1896 the Hippodrome has been used as an ice rink, a circus, and even a bingo hall in its later years.

Its closure in 2006 saw it fall into disrepair.