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3rd February 2026
Brighton's Iconic Buildings Past and Present
Over the years the list of iconic structures has grown and today visitors and residents alike are spoiled for choice where it comes to enjoying some of the best examples of architecture across the past two hundred and fifty years.
The Pavilion
By the late 1700's Brighton had become known as an established seaside destination for those who could afford it. A fashionable promenade, proximity to London and a growing reputation for providing a healthy environment all added to the appeal.
It was the health aspects that drew George, Prince of Wales to Brighton although he was actually more well-known for his penchants of drinking, womanising and gambling!
George hired architect Henry Holland to create a villa known as the Marine Pavilion. In 1808 a new stable addition featured a lead and glass-domed roof and three years later George was sworn in as Prince Regent, becoming the monarch.
In 1815 John Nash was commissioned to transform the villa into the oriental palace that is essentially what people see today.
With minarets and domes the exterior is a stunningly incongruous sight and it's 'picture postcard' appeal (the Instagram of its day!) led it to become a truly iconic image of Brighton.
Brighton Pier(s)
Although long famous for having two piers, in fact Brighton has had three, the Royal Suspension Chain Pier was built in 1823, the West Pier debuted in 1866 and the Brighton Marine Palace and Pier (generally known as the Palace Pier) opened in 1899. Following a storm in 1896 the Chain Pier was demolished.
The West Pier is now a modern icon for all the wrong reasons - it is a burnt-out husk that sits dramatically a few hundred yards from the beach, the only activity being the annual swarms of thousand of starlings that nest there.
It was the first pier to be Grade I listed in England but following closure in 1975 it fell into dereliction. The pier reached a peak of popularity between 1918 and 1919 with more than 2 million visitors.
Major sections of the structure were damaged by storms in 2002 and two separate fires in March and May 2003 destroyed almost all that remained. English Heritage declared it to be beyond repair.
Today all that remains is a metal skeleton that provides local
photographers with a striking subject.
The Brighton Palace Pier, often called both Brighton Pier or Palace Pier, is right in the centre of the city and at the foot of the A23, the old main road route into the city. Today it is a Grade II* listed building.
It's an impressive structure, 1,722 feet long, containing 85 miles of planking and at night it is lit up by 67,000 bulbs.
Still popular with locals and visitors alike, at the time of writing the pier is currently up for sale and looking for new owners.
Brighton i360
The newest addition to Brighton's list of iconic structures, the 531 foot high tower on the seafront in the same location as the old west Pier is perhaps also the most controversial yet.
Featuring a fully enclosed viewing pod which rises and falls, the result either looks like a spectacular UFO or a doughnut on a stick, depending on who you ask!
The opening in August 2016 was mired in controversy as some locals
questioned the funding of the
£46 million building cost. £36 million came from a Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) loan through Brighton and Hove city council and sums were due to be repaid as the project became a success.
Unfortunately in December 2022 the i360 defaulted on the debt it owed the council when visitor numbers fell far short of projections. By June 2023 the i360's debt to the council was more than £48 million, a figure around £12 million more than the original loan agreed.
Recently relaunched with new owners, the future for the i360 once again looks set for it to take a place amongst the much loved and cherished icons of Brighton.
If you'd like to know more about why so many people choose to live in our city we can tell you - we're ranked first out of 120 estate agent offices in 12 different Brighton and Hove postcodes.
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