MacConvilles Building Surveyors are delighted to have been instructed to survey the Brighton Hippodrome, the UK’s most architecturally significant circus theatre. It is really exciting to get up close to this amazing piece of Brighton heritage as its new owners begin their journey in saving it from previous neglect.
Long a focus of community campaigns the Grade II listed theatre is now in the care of Matsim Properties, a family owned Brighton firm. The new owners have committed to saving the building from further deterioration and have plans to restore the auditorium. Over the past few years there has been justified concern regarding the buildings state of repair but with leaks shored up and teams on site making emergency repairs we feel sure the theatre is in safe hands and are glad that this Brighton based firms is now leading the restoration.
The Hippodrome has had a long and varied history beginning its life as an ice skating rink before becoming a circus, theatre and finally a bingo hall. One of the MacConvilles team remembers visiting the Bingo hall as a child, excited at the prospect of a win, only to leave firm in the belief that the 2p machines on the Pier had much better odds. What are your memories of Brighton Hippodrome? We would love to hear them.