The property at 157-161 Western Road was previously home to an Argos store, which has remained closed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The Classical-Revival style building was originally constructed in 1928 as a Boots department store.
When Boots opened its doors in 1928, the large store included a post office and café.
Boots remained in this location until the late 1970s before moving to another newly constructed building on North Street.
Unit 2, initially occupied by DIY chain Fads, was later taken over by Virgin, who moved from Queens Road.
The record shop remained at the site until 1998 when it moved to the newly refurbished Churchill Square.
The shop was briefly used to retail beds and bedding, but was later acquired by Argos, which merged it with Unit 1.
READ NEXT: ‘Architectural masterpiece’ with panoramic views on sale for £6.5m
Property agents Newlands Property have listed the space for £300,000 per annum.
They said: “A substantial city centre building with excellent company profile and return frontage, currently arranged over basement, ground, first and second floors.
“It would suit various uses from retail to leisure occupiers.”
According to Brighton and Hove City Council, it is a “Classical-Revival style, ashlar-faced, symmetrical composition” with “two storeys, rising to three in the centre with a central pediment and Ionic colonnade”.
The site is not located within a conservation area, though its façade is said to “contribute greatly to the street scene”.
READ NEXT: Plans to build block of flats on site of demolished power sub-station
The council’s website explains the historic interest of the building.
It states it is “illustrative of the physical, social and economic development of Brighton and Hove, being one of a number of department stores that transformed the main shopping streets in the inter-war period”.
The building is also a “representative of the rise of the department store in the city”.
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
