A new book, published by Hastings Commons and chronicling the rise, fall and rescue of the historic Observer Building, in honour of its 100th birthday, is to be launched on 20th March.
The Observer Building has stood as an imposing building on the corner of Cambridge Road since opening in 1924. Part of the Parsons publishing empire, the building enjoyed much bustling success as the offices and print works of the Hastings & St Leonards Observer until 1984, when it eventually closed its doors for good. The building then fell into a period of decline, when a series of owners achieved planning permissions and then sold onwards with no repairs undertaken. A memorable year of creative revival was led by Dawn Dublin and Erika Holland in 2016, but this proved challenging without renovation.
In 2019, the building was purchased by Hastings Commons (then White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures) for £1.15 million and the arduous journey of full renovation began. As of 2024, four floors are now open with office and coworking space, hireable event space, a creative technology hub (OBX) and a Crossfit gym. Work will soon start on the rooftop garden and restaurant, and plans are in place for two floors of capped rent homes for people in housing need.
Jess Steele, CEO of Hastings Commons, says “The OB’s four decades of dereliction were a symbol of everything that is wrong with our property system. Its rescue has been and continues to be enormously challenging. Back from the Brink captures that challenge and celebrates the success so far. It feels wonderful to be able to celebrate the building’s centenary knowing that we have stopped the rot and demonstrated that there is another way.”
Published by Hastings Commons and funded by Historic England, ‘Back From The Brink – The Observer Building: it’s rise, fall and rescue’ is a collaborative local effort documenting the history of this much-loved building. The book has benefitted from the input of Steve Peak, local historian and author of the America Ground Hastings and ex-OB worker Ian Shiner (who worked there from 1961 until closure in 1984). Editorial direction has come from Ann Kramer (a non-fiction author and editor of some 60 titles, including Turbulent Spinsters) and design from established graphic designer, Erica Smith.
Steve Peak, says,
“The Hastings Observer newspaper dominated and shaped the town’s media, culture and politics for a century from the 1870s. The Observer Building, built in the early 1920s, became the physical heart and image of that power, but it was also great place to have a job, make lots of friends and find a wedding partner! To local yokels (like me), this book, with its enthusiastic band of three authors and two editors, brilliantly describes the past, present and future of this architectural and social marvel.”
Back From The Brink can be purchased online from the Observer Building website, directly from Hastings Commons during events and in local bookshops. The book costs £15 and is 172 pages. Profits will be reinvested to enable the printing of further copies.
