Landlords Sign Up To Our Monthly Newsletter


Seaside Splendour in Art Deco Worthing

Date Published 04 November 2024

Across Sussex there are many fantastic examples of Art Deco buildings and Worthing is home to some of the very best.

It's one of the aspects that gives our town so much character, as well as offering some of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing properties that it's possible to live in!

As Worthing property experts we thought it would be a good idea to look at this in a bit more depth and tell you exactly why Art Deco is such an important part of Worthing's history.

Grand Designs

The distinctive Art Deco style (short for the French Arts décoratifs) first appeared in Paris in the 1910s. Its popularity spread to the United States and Europe during the 1920s to early 1930s where the exterior design approach influenced buildings ranging from skyscrapers to cinemas.

The look epitomised a feeling of luxury and glamour which continues to this day. Not only that, the use of new building materials including chrome plating, stainless steel and plastic together with highly stylised craftsmanship gave it a modernistic look that remains timeless.

Curved walls, reinforced concrete, smooth polished surfaces and wide ranging use of large glass panels provided a stark break from past traditions.

Interestingly, the actual term Art Deco first appeared in print as late as 1966 when the first modern exhibition on the subject was held by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. This was followed by a wider publication in 1968 when the historian Bevis Hillier published his book 'Art Deco of the 20s and 30s'.

Worthing Pier

Perhaps the most famous example of Art Deco design in Worthing is the pier.

Built in 1862, the pier has long been a focal point for the town. What became known as the Southern Pavilion at the far end of the pier was built in 1889 but destroyed by a storm in 1913. Although rebuilt, it once again suffered destruction, this time by fire in 1933.

By this time the Shoreward Pavilion at the entrance to the pier had opened in 1926 and it is essentially the same Art Deco facade that greets visitors to the pier to this day. 1935 saw the Southern Pavilion further down the pier again rebuilt, this time with a similar design to the entrance.

Today both structures are in full use and welcome residents and visitors alike all year round. The Pavilion Theatre is one of the south coast's premier theatres and also hosts craft markets, fairs and other events.

The Southern Pavilion had an extensive makeover starting in 2019 and today it has been restored to a height of elegance that offers high end dining experiences. You can see how much work was involved here.

Art town

Of course the pier isn't the only example of Art Deco buildings in Worthing. The Connaught Theatre was originally built in 1916 and refurbished in 1935. Today it is used as a popular theatre and cinema in the centre of town, featuring a schedule that ranges from touring West End theatre productions to local children's shows.

Other Art Deco buildings that come into our day to day work are of course the many properties dotted around Worthing that offer a truly unique living experience.

One of our favourites is Onslow Court. Dating back to the 1930s the distinctive curves of its monochrome facade provide a stunning example of Art Deco architecture, while inside the tiled floor and statuesque doors of the communal hallway retain all the elegance of a bygone era. Designed by ATW Goldsmith and sitting just across the road from the beach, this iconic building has undergone an extensive amount of renovation over recent years.

West Parade, running along the seafront from the pier towards Goring has several fantastic examples of Art Deco apartment buildings. As you would expect, the design theme goes far deeper than the wonderful exteriors, with hallways and the living spaces themselves having many period features and materials.

We love talking about Worthing and why it is such a great place to live - if you'd like to know more give us a call on 01903 60 80 80, drop us an email or come into the office at Worthing House, 6 South Street, Worthing BN11 3AA and have a chat.