An architectural firm has been chosen by Eastbourne Borough Council to lead the transformation of Devonshire Park.
Levitt Bernstein was selected from five competing design teams to take charge of the exciting project.
Devonshire Park is currently home to three Grade II/II* listed theatres, the International Lawn Tennis Centre and world class lawn tennis courts, an art gallery, conference facilities and several council office buildings. It is also host to six major tennis contest each year, including the prestigious pre-Wimbledon Aegon International tournament.
Levitt Bernstein will work alongside sports consultants TrioPlus to enhance the tennis facilities on site. The planned transformation aims to build upon and diversify the park’s strengths, with the ambition for Devonshire Park to become one of the UK’s most distinctive and talked about cultural places.
The transformation of Devonshire Park will involve the renewal of key heritage buildings, including the Devonshire Park Theatre, Congress Theatre and Winter Garden, as well as the surrounding public realm, The park’s connection to the seafront and town centre will also be improved.
Coupled with the proposed landscaping of the park and enhanced tennis facilities, the site will play host to year round exhibitions, concerts, cultural events, and outdoor activities, as well as tennis. New facilities will allow partnerships with artists, local and national businesses and sporting bodies to be formed and will create opportunities for investment and economic well-being for the town as a whole.
Work on the designs will start immediately.
Councillor David Tutt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said, “This is an extremely exciting project that will bring more people to Eastbourne, provide even better facilities for residents and support the sustainability of the park for future generations.”
Gary Tidmarsh, chairman of Levitt Bernstein, said, “We are looking forward to working with Eastbourne Borough Council to deliver its vision of a new international mixed use attraction at Devonshire Park.
“Our award winning track record in delivering work in the public realm, landscape, conservation and new buildings will create a unique and high quality destination for Eastbourne that rivals the best in Europe.”
Meanwhile at Devonshire Park, replacement of the Congress Theatre façade gets underway this month in a project managed by the firm Faithful+Gould.