Marine Court

Marine Court is a fascinating, and relatively titanic, landmark on the seafront of East Sussex’s Saint Leonards-on-sea. The building was constructed in the 1930s and, at a height of 14 stories, it towered over its Georgian surroundings. (When it was completed, Marine Court was the tallest residential building in the United Kingdom.)

The building was designed in the Streamline Moderne Art Deco style, with a unique curved, stepped, and ship-like appearance that was modeled on the ocean liner RMS Queen Mary. The balconies of the apartments were designed to resemble the promenade decks of a passenger ship, adding to its nautical charm.

Despite its ocean liner-inspired design, when Marine Court was requisitioned in the Second World War, the ship-shaped structure was used by the Royal Air Force rather than the Navy.

Originally intended to be a luxury hotel with a grand restaurant that could seat up to 1,000 guests, Marine Court was later converted into flats and apartments, and today it remains a unique residential building. In addition to its flats, Marine Court also houses a mix of shops and restaurants in its ground floor space, further adding to the vibrancy and character of this iconic landmark.