Hastings Pier has won the prestigious Stirling architectural award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) for its multi-million-pound renovation following the fire in 2010. The award is presented annually to the UK’s best new building.
RIBA president Ben Derbyshire called the pier “stunning, flexible, a masterpiece of regeneration”. He also praised the way local people had risen to the challenge of funding “the people’s pier” by persuading 3,000 shareholders to purchase £100 stakes in the enterprise.
Described as a phoenix arising from the ashes, this iconic structure incorporates some of the burnt timbers as part of the rebuild. Rye News has been following the story of its redevelopment and joins in the congratulations to people of Hastings for their vision, courage and determination to reinstate their pier.
Photo: James Robertshaw