Commissioned by the 9th Earl De La Warr in 1935 and designed by architects Eric Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff, the De La Warr Pavilion was the UK‘s first public building built in the Modernist style. Pioneering in structure as it was in spirit, the purpose of this steel and concrete Pavilion was to provide accessible culture and leisure for the people of Bexhill and beyond and so regenerate the economy of the town and the surrounding area.

Seventy years later, a £8 million restoration and redevelopment project will enable DLWP to fulfil its original ambitions whilst creating new aspirations for the building and its visitors.

Upon its re-opening in September 2005 , DLWP will have:
One of the largest contemporary art galleries in South East England
An fine auditorium seating up to 1,000 people
A large, new studio space
Roof and ground floor terraces, including an award-winning bandstand
A first-class café, bar and restaurant with outdoor sun terraces
A shop specialising in books and merchandise on arts and culture
Indoor and outdoor spaces to sit, relax and enjoy panoramic seaviews.

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The De La Warr Pavilion opens to the public on 17th September 2005

The De La Warr Pavilion opens on 17th September as a national centre for contemporary art. It will be one of the most significant spaces in the emerging network of new arts building in the South East of England.

This year, this world-famous Grade One listed icon of the Modernist movement celebrates its seventieth anniversary following an 18 month, £8 million refurbishment and redevelopment.

On 17th September, our visitors can expect to see the completion of the first stage of this project.

This will include:

New, state of the art contemporary galleries.

A bright, fresh, welcoming foyer with a new open Information and Booking desk.

A new shop selling books, magazines, gorgeous design objects for all ages and souvenirs unique to the Pavilion.

A bold new eating experience- not only a sparkling new café/bar but also a magnificent high-quality restaurant offering the best in fresh, local produce and magnificent sea views.

An open rooftop-terrace for visitors to enjoy the most breathtaking panoramic views on the South Coast.

Full access to all areas of the Pavilion, including a sleek new lift and a modern auditorium foyer.
On September 17th and 18th, the opening celebrations will include the exhibition Variety in both galleries, live events and spectacular fireworks. The epic choral piece, Sea-Tongue, featuring 300 local singers led by The Shout and commissioned by DLWP will signal the re-opening.

On 24th and 25th September Variety Acts will be a weekend of live performance both inside and outside the Pavilion which will include a cabaret from the award-winning Duckie.

The second stage of the project will be the completion of two new additional buildings – at the north, the new Education Studio for a dynamic cultural education programme of events, talks and activities and, at the south, office accommodation – which will open later in the autumn.

The De La Warr Pavilion’s new restaurant and newly refurbished cafe and bar on the first floor will afford spectacular sea-views from Hastings in the east to
Beachy Head in the west.

The new restaurant will be open at lunchtime and most evenings and will offer a modern British cuisine of the highest quality and at the best possible price. The cafe and open-air sun terrace will be waiter-served and will offer light lunches, soups, sandwiches, cakes and a children’s menu.

Both the restaurant and cafe will use the best local produce, including seafood caught from the region. The restaurant will be available for private functions. For further information please contact Peter Caw, Bars and Restaurant Manager on peter.caw@dlwp.com

The De La Warr Pavilion has a variety of spaces for hire from October 2005.

Please contact Andrew King, Building Manager on andrew.king@dlwp.com for availability and rates.

The De La Warr Pavilion is owned and managed by the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust.