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RESTAURANTS
Rockwater provides a new view of Hove seafront
Recently opened on the seafront in Hove, East Sussex (although quickly having to close due to the lockdown) is a refurbished restaurant venue designed by architects RTSAN. It has revitalised a prized food and beverage retail site, “opening it up” to the local community as a year-round venue, said its developer. The new Rockwater venue has
seen the previous restaurant and pub (‘Babylon Lounge’ and later ‘The View’) reclad and refurbished to provide a two-level seafront ‘destination.’ A rooftop terrace plus viewing platform is planned, but is yet to receive planning permission. The existing building has been
retained and reclad in a combination of sustainably sourced reclaimed timber and
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natural pebble cladding, and a new internal steel frame added to support the roof terrace above. A total of £3.7m has reportedly
been put into the project, including £1m donated by residents of the local community. Rockwater has been developed by
entrepreneur Luke Davis, chief executive of IW Capital, to provide “affordable” food, and an open design that would take advantage of the setting. The site will include a play park, which has been occupied by a ‘village’ of 30 transparent ‘Igloos’ serving socially-distanced meals during 2020’s lockdown, but which were damaged during a storm in early January. RTSAN’s design concept is based on the
idea of the ‘beachcomber,’ which according to the practice, “has been carried through into the design with an eclectic mix of styles for lighting, materials, artwork and furniture.” The open interior is split by a central bar into restaurant and bar/lounge areas. “The client wanted a warm, cosy space
for the winter and something light and airy for summer.” This will be assisted by using different interior design concepts for the different zones. Rockwater’s roof terrace will consist of
“a mix of lounge and dining seating,” and will have a seasonal theme. Once given planning permission, the structure will sit on composite decking with full-height glazed walls and a retractable roof to enable year-round use, and is expected to complete construction early in 2021. The venue is engaging with local groups
and residents, and there are plans to provide local musicians and artists with a platform to show their work, as well as run sea swimming, pilates and yoga from the venue.
ADF JANUARY 2021
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