We support neighbourhood transformation while protecting diversity and inclusion. We take on challenging projects in difficult but much-loved buildings. We take action - we bring the buildings to life and animate the spaces for the common good. All this needs a constant pipeline of new people interested in taking on space and becoming part of the Commons.
At the moment we manage 11 rent-capped homes, 50+ workspaces and have over 120 tenants. In addition to Rock House and the Observer Building, we’ve transformed the Alley, including Rose Cottage, the Vaults and 10 Claremont, created Living Rents homes at 39 Cambridge Road, a public living room at Eagle House, and are starting work at last to bring 12 Claremont back from dereliction.
Become A Tenant
We welcome interest from prospective tenants in our co-working spaces, offices, shops, workshops and flats. All tenants are selected on the basis of need, local connection, enthusiasm for the ethos and a willingness to contribute; to be part of the collective life of the spaces and create a strong sense of community.
Hire A Space
We have a number of hireable meeting spaces across Hastings Commons. These include the Board Room in the Observer Building, the project space at Rock House, the classroom/workshop at Rose Cottage and the Common Room in Eagle House.
Buildings and Spaces Brought to Life by Hastings Commons
Rock House is where it all began! From dereliction, this 9 storey office block has been transformed into 6 living rent flats, 20 commercial units/workspaces and Ground Control which offers dedicated desks for start-ups, small business and local entrepreneurs.
Formerly known as Rothermere house, Rock House was built in 1969 as an extension to the next-door Observer Building. Closed by the Observer in 1985, it was run-down and nearly empty when purchased by Hastings Commons Neighbourhood Ventures in June 2014. The name was changed to Rock House in 2015 and its grand opening was held on the 4th March 2016.
Commercial tenancies and space hire available
The Observer Building is an enormous and precious building, consisting of 4,000 square metres across seven floors. Since it came into the Commons, vital repairs have been undertaken and the lower floors of the building are now fully refurbished. The building offers affordable workspace, a 500-capacity venue and a creative technology hub called OBX. Future plans include creating capped rent housing on the upper floors and a public roof garden.
The building was built in 1924 by the Hastings Observer to be offices and print works for the newspaper ‘the Hastings & St Leonards Observer’. Find out more about the Observer Building story.
Commercial tenancies and space hire available
Purchased and refurbished by Jericho Road Solutions in 2019, Rose Cottage now includes two artist studios upstairs and a hireable classroom/workshop space, a common room, kitchenette and toilet.
Rose Cottage is the oldest building we own; appearing on the 1852 map and functioning as a stable for horses for a period of time.
Space hire available
We have recently received funding enabling us to fully renovate 12 Claremont to maximise its street-value contribution. We hope to be partnering further with Project Art Works to develop the building into a fully-inclusive creative hub.
12 Claremont is a fine heritage building that was gutted in preparation for inclusion as part of the library renovation. Built in 1870, it was the first local home for the Parsons empire in the form of a bookbinding and engraving studio. Later the building had a variety of mixed uses including the town’s first telephone exchange, a venue for meetings and community events, and auction rooms.
Currently in development and not possible to rent or hire
The first floor of 10 Claremont is being rented by Cheese on Sea, an artisan cheese shop. The basement is in the process of being rented. 10 Claremont also has a patio courtyard that connects through to Rose Cottage and the Alley Gardens.
Currently occupied and not available to hire or rent.
Hastings Commons acquired Eagle House on a ‘development lease’ for 2 years, with an option to purchase which was concluded in November 2022 with support from the Towns Fund. The ground floor opened in September 2021 as a public living room called ‘The Common Room’. We will be renovating the rest of this historic building to offer more community and youth space alongside affordable workspace.
Despite appearances, Eagle House is a historic building built in 1867 and used as a furniture shop from 1904. The company on the top floor lined coffins! In 1992 Peter Dalton acquired the property and ran a successful family carpet shop business for over 30 years before retiring.
Space hire available in the Common Room. Please see the events calendar for details of all events hosted in the Common Room.
This five-storey building was previously abandoned office space. In 2017, it was purchased by the Community Land Trust with renovations completed in 2018.
It is made up of four high-quality capped rent apartments managed by Living Rents through Hastings Commons Neighbourhood Ventures. One flat has been adapted using a disabled facilities grant from Hastings Borough Council to support a tenant with restricted mobility.
Residential space not available for hiring.
Five sandstone caves carved into the White Rock cliff face were purchased from John Harper in January 2019, and the cliff has been stabilised with funding from Historic England. We have plans to install electricity and new doors so the caves can be used by local businesses.
The Alley Gardens are built on land owned by Neighbourhood Ventures and offer a little tranquillity at the end of The Alley. They were designed by Gary Baverstock and built by our trustee Darren French alongside Rock House tenants and other volunteers.