Habitat has announced it is to launch a new Brighton city-centre store in October 2018. At 6,500 sqft it becomes Habitat’s third largest store in the UK and forms part of Redevco’s redevelopment of the old Hanningtons department store on North Street. This marks the first new major stand-alone city-centre store that the brand has opened in 10 years.
Designed by the Habitat Design Studio, the new store design will be housed across two floors on ground and basement levels of 23-25 North Street, and will offer around 3,000 Habitat products across furniture, lighting, textiles and accessories. The new store will feature striking wrap around store-front windows leading onto The Lanes and will include an installation and events space which will house regular workshops, talks and installations from local collaborators.
“Habitat opened one of its first stores here back in 1969 so we’re thrilled to be returning to a city that has a lot of historical love for our brand,” comments Clare Askem, Managing Director of Habitat. “Returning to Brighton’s high street has always been a passion project for me so we’re delighted it’s the first new high street store that we’re opening and in such an important new development. This city has always had its own unique atmosphere which we wanted to make central to our return so we’re thrilled to be working on a collaborative project with local artists from the area to launch a celebratory collection of products especially for Brighton for when we open in October.”
Redevco started redeveloping the 1.3 acre site, which includes the former Hanningtons department store or ‘Harrods of Brighton’, in February 2017. The masterplan for Hanningtons Estate includes the creation of a new Lane, a new entrance to the Lanes from North Street, premium residential and office accommodation and the reconfiguration of existing shops to provide exciting new spaces for retailers, restaurants and cafes. Work is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Andrew Foulds, Portfolio Director at Redevco comments, “Our vision for the North Street element of Hanningtons Estate was to extend the premium retail offer already found in East Street and attract completely new brands to Brighton. There are few brands that are as well-known or quintessentially British as Habitat. Launched by Sir Terence Conran in 1964, the retailer has always led the way with affordable, contemporary and stylish homeware.”
“It complements existing retailers such as Cath Kidston, Kurt Geiger, Flying Tiger, Sandro, Maje, Bobbi Brown and White Company perfectly. We also have deals with other exciting brands in solicitors’ hands, not just for North
Street, but for the smaller units within the new Hanningtons Lane. Here the mix will be smaller, quirky but premium retailers, mixed with local names that Brightonians will be familiar with.”
