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Palmeira Square, HOVE, BN3 2JP

This is the western side. See Image] for the story of its construction.

The road marks the boundary between two different developments in Hove, Adelaide Crescent/Palmeira Square to the east and the Avenues to the west. Originally a service road for the former now a back road with some businesses and new developments.

The lawns were originally reserved for Palmeira Square residents. The Second World War saw them requisitioned as vegetable plots. After the war, the cost of restoration was too much for the residents, so Brighton Corporation took over the gardens and allowed public access.

The gardens in the foreground are part of Palmeira Square whilst the buildings curving away in the background are Adelaide Crescent. Originally planned as one big crescent the development began in 1832 and promptly stopped the following year due to a recession. It wasn't until 1850 that work resumed with a new plan that involved a smaller crescent merged with a square. Consequently Adelaide Crescent, named after William IV's queen, was completed in 1860. Palmeira Square, named after Sir Isaac Goldsmid's title give by the Portuguese monarchy, was started in 1853 with the west side (Partially in view) completed in 1860 and the east in 1870. The crescent and square were initially built as houses but began being converted into large lateral flats following the First World War a process that has continued until this day. The gardens were originally for use of the tenants only but were opened to public access after the Second World War when the council took over the maintenance.

Adelaide Crescent to the left constructed in 1830 meets Palmeira Square to the right built in 1850. This is the western side.

The lawns were originally the gardens for Palmeira Square residents only until the Second World War when they were requisitioned and used as vegetable plots. Post war the cost of restoration was too much for the residents so Brighton Corporation took over the running of them and allowed public access. The lawns were also the site of a domed Anthaeum constructed of iron and glass, financed by Isaac Goldsmit and designed by AH Wilds, measuring 22 metres in height and 50 metres in diameter. Wilds resigned from the project when told that the central pillar which he had added was not necessary. The dome was due to be opened to the public on 29 August 1833 but buckled and collapsed when the supporting scaffolding was removed. The debris remained on the site until Palmeira Square was constructed in 1855.

The southern end of the lawns, beyond the bushes is a road dividing these lawns with Adelaide Crescent's lawns.