The new lift is rising on Brighton seafront as the restoration of Madeira Terrace moves forward.
It will give residents and visitors step-free access to and from Madeira Drive.
The Madeira lift on Brighton’s seafront (Image: NQ)
Work is now at an advanced stage, with scaffolding wrapped around the lift’s internal frame.
In the next phase, more than 20,000 bricks will form an outer ‘skin’ around the frame.
It is part of stage one of Brighton & Hove City Council’s project, which it calls one of its most technically challenging builds.
Councillor Julie Cattell, the council’s lead member for major projects, said she was delighted by the level of public interest.
She said: “We’re moving forward with very visible and eye-catching elements of the restoration, and I know residents and visitors are enjoying seeing the structure take shape.”
Councillor Julie Cattell, the council’s lead member for major projects. (Image: NQ)
Elsewhere on the site, the first sections of the huge cast iron structure have been returned.
The team is testing different ways to rebuild the century-old terrace.
Parts of the original structure were sent to a specialist foundry earlier this year for repair and crucial testing.
Engineers needed to prove the cast iron was safe to reuse and could support the terrace’s weight.
The first tests were inconclusive, so more checks were needed.
A second set of results confirmed much of the original ironwork was strong enough to reuse.
It was a key moment for the heritage-led restoration.
It also helps the council cut the scheme’s environmental impact.
The restoration project includes bringing back sections of the historic Madeira Terrace arches. (Image: NQ)
“We know Madeira Terrace is a vital part of our city’s architectural heritage and is something people really care about,” said Councillor Cattell.
“Restoring the existing structure does take more time than simply replacing it – particularly with the testing required – but it is the correct approach.”
The project is now expected to finish this winter.
Residents and businesses heard the latest at a community event at Sea Lanes Brighton this week.
Councillor Cattell added: “It is great that so many people are really captivated and engaged in this project – and have such goodwill towards the work being done.
“We’re determined to get this restoration right – and see Madeira Terrace once again become a thriving and important part of our iconic seafront.”
The lift is a familiar site on the seafront (Image: Wikimedia)
Madeira Terrace is an 865m covered walkway built between 1890 and 1897, thought to be the longest continuous cast-iron structure in Britain.
The terrace has been closed to the public since 2012 after the structure deteriorated and was deemed unsafe due to exposure to the elements.
Council updates have said the first phase is restoring 28 arches between the Royal Crescent steps and Concorde 2, alongside installing the new lift and replacing the upper deck.
Site work on the lift began in late 2024 as part of plans to improve accessibility between Marine Parade and Madeira Drive.
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