Corn Exchange stripped back as heritage features revealed

The exposure of 200-year-old beams and addition of a skylight have been revealed as part of Brighton Dome's major redevelopment project.
The Corn Exchange is undergoing refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)The Corn Exchange is undergoing refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)
The Corn Exchange is undergoing refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)

The glass roof has been installed in the Grade I-listed Brighton Dome Corn Exchange above the new public gallery area.

Photographer Carlotta Luke, who captured the latest developments, said: “I was impressed with how well the contrast of the modern and functional structure works with the delicate tracery of the original windows and the old brick walls.”

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The 200-year-old timber which dates back to when the Prince Regent used the building as stables  (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)The 200-year-old timber which dates back to when the Prince Regent used the building as stables  (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)
The 200-year-old timber which dates back to when the Prince Regent used the building as stables (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)

During the installation of the skylight, a series of timbers have been revealed that date back to a time when the space was used by the Prince Regent as a stable, and Mrs Luke revealed her fascination with these features.

She said: “From the first time that I photographed the building over a year ago, I have been fascinated by the pattern they make across this huge room, accentuating how large the space actually is.

“It was interesting to see them change over the past few months as the old white paint was painstakingly stripped off to reveal the two hundred-year-old timber. The old wood of the ceiling adds so much to the beauty of the space below.”

The Corn Exchange has been stripped back during the refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)The Corn Exchange has been stripped back during the refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)
The Corn Exchange has been stripped back during the refurbishment (Photograph: Carlotta Luke)
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The refurbishment, led by Brighton Dome, Brighton & Hove City Council and the Royal Pavilion and Museums, aims to restore and reunite the buildings of the Royal Pavilion Estate, further increasing the cultural tourism offering of the city.

This will include major improvements to the Studio Theatre such as balcony seating, new bar facilities and a street level café that will open out onto New Road.

It will also see a new creative space and visitor entrance constructed on the estate, as well as the refurbishment of lost heritage features such as the original timber and cast-iron trussed roof.

This is phase one of a three phase transformational project which has received donations from the National Lottery, but a community appeal is currently underway to raise £250,000 to help complete the scheme.

To find out more, visit: build.brightondome.org