Old Steine

Below ground drainage design
Brighton

52–53 Old Steine is a sensitive retrofit of two Grade II listed Georgian townhouses and adjacent office space, transforming underused buildings into high-quality student accommodation while integrating modern drainage infrastructure within a complex heritage setting.

Through careful retrofitting of the below ground drainage network the following benefits could be realised:

Enhanced flood mitigation against risk of sewer surcharge.
Retrofit first approach – lowering carbon spend and retaining historic fabric.

EGY supported the transformation of 52–53 Old Steine in Brighton — a carefully considered refurbishment and retrofit project that merged two Grade II listed Georgian townhouses with adjacent, underused office space to create high-quality student accommodation.

52 Old Steine was once a fashionable social hub and open green used by fishermen in the eighteenth century. Later it became home to Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Benjamin Clifton, a distinguished veteran of the Battle of Waterloo, who resided there for over 30 years until 1869

Our role focused on the design of the below ground drainage system, navigating the complexities of retrofitting modern infrastructure within a constrained and historically sensitive urban site. Working within the footprint of the existing buildings, we developed a drainage strategy that met the functional demands of 33 new student rooms while respecting the heritage value of the original fabric.

By coordinating closely with the project team and responding to site-specific constraints, we delivered a solution that integrates seamlessly with the retrofit works, helping to bring new life to these elegant townhouses and supporting the delivery of much-needed student housing in central Brighton.