Portland Street

James Gray: A selection of snapshot photographs of this old central street, thought to have been taken about 1950. They provide a good view of the flint and brick houses which were a feature of Portland Street, though nos. 21 and 22 which lay back behind small front gardens with brick frontages were most attractive. It is a great pity that some of these houses could not have been preserved. jgc_25_012

James Gray: Another snapshot photograph – see jgc_25_012 above for more information. jgc_25_015

2018: These original buildings have been knocked down and replaced by small modern town houses. The numbering appears to have changed on the western side of the street, and the pavement line has also changed. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: Another snapshot photograph – see jgc_25_012 above for more information. jgc_25_016

2018: This elegant double-fronted cottage was demolished in the 1970s and is now part of the Raglan Court development on the eastern side of the street. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: Another snapshot photograph – see jgc_25_012 above for more information.  jgc_25_017

2018: This is a very similar picture to jgc_25_013, with a slightly wider view. The cobble-fronted house and the one to its right-hand side (south) are two of the three original houses which still exist in the street. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: Another snapshot photograph – see jgc_25_012 above for more information.  jgc_25_013

2018: The cobble-fronted house in this image, 10 Portland Street, is one of only three early 19th century buildings in the street which have survived. It can be identified by the distinctive frontage and the downpipe to the right of the building. Number 11 next door has been stuccoed over but still stands and, at the Church Street end of the street, can be found the third survivor (Nos 3-4) which is not included in the original James Gray collection. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: Another snapshot photograph – see jgc_25_012 above for more information. jgc_25_014

2018: Most of the original cobble-fronted terraced cottages on the east side of the street have been demolished. The new houses have retained the same scale as the originals, with two storeys and an attic dormer. At the end of the street can be seen North Street. (Photograph: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: After the clearance of old buildings in North Street and King Street in 1938, the site remained empty for 19 years and was used as a car park. Barclays Bank bought the site for new premises but before this work was started, more old houses had to be removed. 21/27 Portland Street (despite the numbering there were only 4 houses). The photograph was taken in May 1955, but it was not until June 1957 that these buildings were demolished and the building of the bank premises commenced. jgc_25_008

James Gray: Old houses in two adjacent streets whose removal became necessary for the widening of North Street and the redevelopment of the area. 31/37 Portland Street, demolished in 1938, the site of which is now covered by the Imperial Buildings. jgc_25_010

2018: The Imperial Theatre became the Essoldo cinema in 1950, a bingo hall in the sixties, and was demolished in 2001. Three new retail units (134-138) have replaced the buildings in North Street between Portland and Windsor Streets. The 2018 photograph shows the side of the sports store, Decathlon, in Portland Street. (Photographer: Nick Pannett)

James Gray: Looking into the yard of Patching & Son at 43/44 Portland Street, where they have been for about 150 years. Easily Brighton’s oldest existing builders. Period – probably late 1950s. jgc_25_032

2018: Established in 1774, Patching & Son occupied 43 and later 44 Portland Street from 1832 to 1992. The company closed in late 2011, by that time trading from 175/177 Westbourne Street, Hove. Where the builder’s yard stood is now part of a large site on the corner of Portland and Church Streets which has been derelict for over 20 years.  (Photographer: Chris Nichols)

James Gray: Portland Street, from Church Street in 1937. 30 years later most of the houses are still here but boarded up and awaiting demolition.  jgc_25_005

2018: The corner of Church Street and Portland Street. What is the antique shop on the original picture is clearly recognisable and is yet another coffee shop. Number 1, one of the original houses, is visible next door. (Photographer: Chris Nichols)