Leaving our office on Trafalgar Place, next to Brighton station, I debate which way to get to my site meeting at the vibrant regeneration of Edward Street Quarter which we are looking forward to bringing to the market later this year.

The beauty of Brighton is there are so many ways to meander through the tightly packed lanes and each time I step out there is always something new to discover. 

An urge for coffee means I first nip over Trafalgar Street and pick up a Brazilian blend flat white from Blend and Brew on the corner of Over Street before choosing my route for the day.

As the sun is shining I decide to go via North Laine where I can do a bit of people watching and take in the atmosphere around the independent boutiques, cafés and places to eat.

I make a beeline down Over Street and veer left at one of my favourite lunch stops, The Pond, with its amazing Taiwanese menu, heading down the hill along Gloucester Place and crossing the pedestrianised zone where plenty are out enjoying a coffee and croissant.

I then take a right on to North Laine and it’s so heartening to see the vibrancy and bohemian tones of Brighton coming through again after what has been a quiet few months. When the sun is out this is one of the best places to be sheltered from the sea breeze and watch the world go by in a car-free environment. 

Down Church Street, at pace now, past the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery pausing at the North Gate of the Royal Pavilion with its renowned Indian-style domes to cross Marlborough Place and then the Grand Parade.

Catching glimpses of the sea through Dorset Gardens, I climb Edward Street where the buildings of First Base and Patron Capital’s major mixed-use redevelopment are now rising on the two-acre site to my left. The residential element of this scheme will be ready for occupation in late spring next year, with a number of apartments offering some great views out across the Channel.

As I pass the striking hoarding masking the entrance to the residential blocks and commercial space, I take a left down White Street to get to the back of the site. Eventually the new pedestrianised boulevard linking Edward Street and Mighell Street will get me to the site office more quickly and will also benefit the occupants of the shining new landmark American Express HQ.

A quick check of the watch. Not bad: 12 minutes. Tomorrow I'll choose a different, but equally enjoyable route.

Further information

Contact Tom Bryant

In Focus and On Foot – expert views on local neighbourhoods

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