When was the Hope redeveloped with the Art Deco theme.? It would appear that the centre and right building in the 1920's photo were replaced with the 'modern' art deco style building with the curved walls as nothing in the new building appears to line up with the old ones. My friend Michael Cox used to live in the Seahouse to the left hand side.

A very good question, Rob.

I've just been down to the museum. we have a dated 1934 painting of the Hope in its original state and a wartime photo of it with the alterations done. So the answer is somewhere between 1934 and the early 1940's. The Newhaven 'Blue Book' still lists the two 'in between' houses in its 1938/40 Edition. I'm trying to track it down more precisely.

Andy-editor.

I wonder if it was something to do with the war either being taken over and rebuilt as more of a defensive structure in the event of invasion or as a result of suffering damage. I believe some properties in Seaford and Bishopstone which faced the English Channel and beaches received similiar treatment to convert into observation posts and searchlight facilities.