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The Observer Building – Hastings

Fibre Optic backbone, WI-FI, CCTV and Access control for this historic building. The Observer Building is a landmark property in Hastings, built in 1924 as the offices and print works for the local newspaper, the Hastings & St Leonards Observer. Comprising 4,000 sqm of industrial floor space over seven floors, the building was abandoned in 1984. Despite passing through 13 owners, none of whom undertook a single repair, the building became increasingly derelict. The building was then purchased by Hastings Commons Neighbourhood Ventures in 2019 for £1.15 million to bring it ‘back from the brink’ and breathe new life into the space.

The Observer Building

Fibre Optic Network Infrastructure, CCTV, and Access Control installation provides a new backbone to a much loved historical building.

Owner: Hastings Commons.

Architects: IF_DO.

Main Contractors: 8Build     Project Manager: Pedro Aguiar

To create an inclusive, affordable space for residents and workers in Hastings.

  • Affordable Housing: Converting upper floors into capped-rent flats to provide affordable housing options in the town centre.
  • Public & Community Spaces:
    • Ground Floor: A public venue for events.
    • Mezzanine: An emerging creative technology hub called OBX.
    • 4th Floor: A public bar and roof terrace with sea and castle views.
    • 5th Floor: A new youth-focused space.
  • Heritage Restoration:
    • Facade: Restoration of the 1924 terracotta-glazed facade.
    • Vaults: Restoration of the subterranean Vaults with new services, damp treatment, and a floor to make them usable.

Cost: Over £6.7 million spent on major renovation to date.

Sector: Heritage

Project Type: Multi service – Fibre, CCTV, Access Control and Wi-Fi

The Observer Building project in Hastings saw ACCL undertake a comprehensive data cabling installation, including fibre backbone, Wi-Fi, CCTV, and access control for a major restoration led by Hastings Commons. The project aimed to provide reliable connectivity and security for a landmark entertainment and residential venue, but was challenged by constrained spaces, many competing trades, and strict deadlines.

Image source: Roypenfold, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Project Scope:

The Observer Building hosts multi-use public spaces including a creative technology hub (OBX), event venue, public bar, roof terrace, affordable housing, and youth space—all depending on reliable network infrastructure.

  • Fibre Backbone: Installation of a dedicated fibre link from the roof terrace to the Main Equipment Room (MER) ensured robust connectivity for the building’s core infrastructure.
  • Access Control: Approximately 15 internal doors were fitted with modern access control systems to guarantee secure and managed entry for residents, staff, and guests.
  • CCTV Installation: 21 standard CCTV cameras were positioned throughout the property to monitor all public and sensitive zones, enhancing building-wide security.
  • Wi-Fi Access Points: Ten Wi-Fi access points served the roof terrace and public areas, providing seamless connectivity for the bar, creative hub, and community spaces.
  • EPOS Data Cabling: Dedicated cabling supported data and transaction needs at till points, vital for the venue’s entertainment and retail operations.
0333 900 0101 sales@network-data-cabling.co.uk Contact us

Challenges

  • Crowded Workspace: The project involved 20+ trades operating across a relatively tight footprint, requiring careful coordination to avoid overlap and bottlenecks.
  • Strict Time Constraints: Any installation delays risked knock-on effects for subsequent works and threatened the overall delivery schedule, especially with interdependent building services.
  • Physical Conditions: Years of dereliction posed logistical challenges—narrow risers, obstructed routes, difficult access points for cabling and hardware, and the need for robust damp treatment in the Vaults.
  • Multi-system Integration: Ensuring fibre, Wi-Fi, CCTV, and access control systems were interoperable and future-proofed was critical given the building’s mixed-use requirements and anticipated high occupancy.
Image source: Roypenfold, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Results

  • Highly Connected Venue: ACCL’s work enabled secure, reliable, and scalable connectivity for the full range of Observer Building functions, supporting both high-volume public events and day-to-day residential needs.
  • Enhanced Security & Management: The integrated CCTV and access control systems provided management with real-time monitoring, controlled access, and rapid response capabilities, increasing building safety.
  • Successful Multi-Trades Coordination: The meticulous project management and forward thinking of 8 Build Project Manager, Pedro Aguiar, whose innovative forward thinking and ‘can-do’ attitude was critical for the success of this project working within such a tight foot-print. By maintaining tight project scheduling and flexible work practices, ACCL were able to deliver under challenging conditions, facilitating follow-on trades and minimising delays.
  • Community Impact: The restored venue is now a centrepiece of regeneration in Hastings, housing creative spaces, affordable flats, and vital local amenities, all enabled by its advanced data and security architecture.

 

0333 900 0101 sales@network-data-cabling.co.uk Contact us

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0333 900 0101 sales@network-data-cabling.co.uk Contact us