Hastings Pier opened in 1872, dating from the heyday of the British seaside, and designed by Eugenis Birch, whose innovative ideas and designs revolutionsied the construction methods and appearance of piers around the country.
Adapted during the second World War, the pier was essentially cut in two, only laterly being recoonected via a ‘bridge’ built to rejoin the two elements. A fire in 2010 sadly destroyed the pier, leaving only one building and the substructure in place, putting the pier at risk.
A successful National Lottery Heritage Fund bid saw funding for the restoration works kick start an innovative future for the Pier which, since completion, won the RIBA Sterling Prize for the UK’s Best New Building.
HERA acted in the role of Lead Monitor on the project on behalf of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, providing expert advice on aspects of governance, project management, cost and funding, programme, procurement, risk, architectural, interpretation and exhibition design development.