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Tower Buildings tragedy

The cream and green frontage of Tower Buildings in Lower South Road. ESCC is using it now. Pictured Wed 26 July.

The cream and green frontage of Tower Buildings in Lower South Road. ESCC is using it now. Pictured Wed 26 July.

 

The Bohemia Picturedrome, one of three cinemas in Bohemia was housed at Tower Buildings at one time. The Tower Buildings complex, located in Lower South Road was obtained by a Mr Edward Burchatt Wingfield – an entrepreneur of his time – running a furniture removal business, building properties and much more.

He used the building as a furniture repository. In 1877, he added a tower to the warehouse, with the intention of providing four

clock faces to serve the locality, but they never materialised. It is believed he died before being able to bring this plan to fruition.In 1883/4 he built what is now called Marina Park at West St Leonards, to provide an hotel for that part of the town. However, having apparently over-reached himself, he suffered a brainstorm and committed suicide. Rumour had it that he had thrown himself off the Bohemia tower; but the fact is that he was at the Marina Park building where on the 25th February 1885, he cut his throat and jumped from a first floor bedroom window; the sad end of a man who had tried to help the town develop. The tower in Bohemia was an interesting addition to the skyline, but was removed in August 1973, as it was deemed to be unsafe. 

The attractive and refurbished building is today occupied by the East Sussex County Council Education Department.

 

The old Bohemia Picturedrome.

The old Bohemia Picturedrome.

2 Comments

  1. The item was posted by John L Humphries (born 1941).

  2. Question?

    John Humphries Senior or Junior?