Wellington Square, Hastings, TN34

A painstaking process of conversion and renovation has been going on for some years now at Numbers 45 and 46 Wellington Square in the heart of fashionable Hastings and within a stone's throw of the sea. We can now reveal seven outstanding apartments spanning the four floors of these two gracious Grade II listed properties.

The two buildings have been extensively restored and internally strengthened while retaining much of the charm and period detail dating back to 1815. The apartments have been finished to the highest possible technical standards using energy efficient utilities, the finest standards of sound and heat insulation and engineered oak floors with underfloor heating, good quality kitchens and traditional lime plastered walls throughout to comply with Grade II listed buildings regulations.

There is a quiet luxury in the design and finish of all the seven apartments across both buildings with the reassurance and comfort of a renovation built to last another 200 years.

The south facing apartments have views of the sea and the famous Hastings Castle ruins and are flooded with light from the large sash windows which retain the historical glazing and immaculate proportions of the original windows. Two apartments have balconies which have been completely renovated to the original design using the correct period materials.

The entrances, hallways and stairs have all been beautifully finished with cleverly chosen colourways, tessellated tiles in the entrance halls, woollen carpets across all stairs and discretely decorated raised pattern wallpapers which lean into the detailing which would have been so much a part of the houses when they were first built.

The apartments have bespoke fingerplates on the front doors, key fobs and door furniture which is informed by the internal detailing on the properties, giving the feel of a private members club.

Safety has also been at the heart of the renovations with discrete smoke shafts in both buildings and the highest standard of fire alarm, smoke alarm and escape routes. There are no gas supplies to the buildings with a view to safety and future-proofing the heating systems.

The apartments have entry systems and full fibre broadband, satellite, DAB and TV services.

Bathrooms have simple white tiling and sanitary ware, heated towel rails and mirror cabinets. They are beautifully detailed and finished in attractive neutral colours with natural lino warmed by underfloor heating. Each apartment has an energy-efficient mains-pressure hot water system.

Kitchens feature ceramic sinks set into solid hardwood surfaces with integrated AEG appliances housed in gloss white handle-less furniture creating a simple, elegant finish.

Underfloor heating systems are supplied by the innovative British company, OMNIE. Their low-profile system has been installed over the well-insulated and reconstructed original floors, creating an efficient, modern zoned heating system.

A new management company, WSq Ltd, has been created to run and oversee the maintenance and management of the building until all apartments are sold, at which point WSq will be given to residents. The residents will then all have a share of the freehold and can manage the building as they see fit via WSq or employ an external management company instead.

Apartment 2 in 45 is a lofty first floor space with one bedroom. Sunlight pours into the apartment through a pair of glazed doors covering every inch of the open plan reception, creating a warm, homely glow. The interior natural tones are a collective of timber floors, textured walls and a solid wood kitchen counter top which sits on glossy cabinetry, all of which work harmoniously with the high Regency ceilings.

History of Wellington Square
Back at the turn of the 19th century, Hastings was not much more than a small fishing port, with its economy largely based on the sea - from fishing, trade and of course smuggling!

The outcome of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 that ended the Napoleonic War and favoured the English, brought about an influx of wealthy people from London, who turned the town into a fashionable seaside resort and saw the start of many years of large-scale development. The building of Wellington Square (named after The Duke who had triumphed at the Battle of Waterloo) was perhaps the key marker for the town's growth.

Initially only two sides of Wellington Square were built, the east and north sides, and this was the first big development in the valley, catering for the well-to-do, and praised in the guidebooks for its fine views of the sea and surrounding countryside looking right across to Beachy Head. At No.4 Wellington Square a Mrs Camac lived, whose house boasted its own ballroom: she was recognised as the most active and prominent society hostess in the town.

Wellington Square today
Wellington Square being the only Georgian square in Hastings retains its focal point at the heart of the town and yet is tucked neatly away from the immediate bustle. Hastings' railway station is a few minutes' walk away, as are the many shops, restaurants and amenities of The Old Town, the town centre and St Leonards is just ten minutes' walk to the west.

The town's popularity with the fashionable, the stylish and the creative thinkers continues and many musicians, designers, film makers and artists have moved here in recent years. They have brought with them an influx of new thinking in the hospitality world with innovative restaurants, cafes and pubs opening along with a huge raft of interesting and independent retailers.


Council Tax Band: A (Hastings Borough Council )
Tenure: Leasehold (999 years)
Service Charge: £1,500 per year
Council Tax Band A (£1,552.11 pa)