James Gray: This was another narrow court of whose existence many Brightonians were unaware. It was to be found between 42 & 43 Frederick Place and consisted of a row of 5 small cottages ending in a high wall at the back of Over Street. They were probably built in the 1840s and were much older than the warehouse at the top of the court, which stands on the site of the old houses on the west side of Frederick Place, which were removed in 1878, when Queens Road was widened. Frederick Cottages were demolished in 1935 and the site was used for an extension of Freeman’s premises. jgc_25_182
James Gray: This school for girls in Frederick Place was founded in 1854. In that year St. Nicholas Church was restored as a memorial to the Duke of Wellington and the school was so named for that reason. It was to this school that the last two girls of Swan Downer’s School were transferred. It continued to be used as a school until 1944. jgc_25_229
James Gray: Six ancient cottages, 36-41, which adjoined the old St. Nicholas Memorial School, boarded up and awaiting removal, 4 June 1961. For some undiscovered reason, they remained in this state for another eight years and it was not until 1969 that they were finally demolished. jgc_25_230
2018: There are no residential buildings today south of the Old School House, only office blocks – 36, 37 and, on the corner of Frederick Place and Gloucester Road, Frederick House. (Photographer: Chrissie Beglin)
James Gray: Looking at the side and rear walls of this large building used throughout its life of almost 100 years as furniture depositories. These photographs [see also jgc_31_171 on this page] emphasise the difference in the ground levels of Queen’s Road and Frederick Place. Until 1878 Queen’s Road was but 40 feet wide, with no pavements on its east side. Below it was a row of small cottages on the west side of Frederick Place. In that year these were removed, Queen’s Road widened and the tall warehouse buildings erected. jgc_31_174
2020: This vacant site in the James Gray image is now occupied by an office block, 93-94 Queen’s Road, which completely obliterates the view of Queen’s Road from Frederick Place. (Photographer: Alan Stratford)