The Phoenix Project

The Phoenix is an ambitious new mixed-use development on a 7.9-hectare brownfield site in the Sussex town of Lewes, which has already won a Future Place award at The Developer magazine’s Pineapples 2023.

Described by The Guardian as a ‘dream-team’, CHA is one of twelve, architectural practices working with client Human Nature to develop a trail-blazing, sustainable place with 685 homes.

Human Nature approached us to help develop the riverfront apartment blocks that form an important edge to the development when viewed from the nearby South Downs. With the steeply sloping topography of Lewes visible behind, a sensitive approach was required to achieve a level of difference and diversity in materials and massing without resorting to pastiche. Our proposals draw on a history of large-scale commercial and residential buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century, examples of which can be found in the town and along the river front nearby.

The Phoenix was recently granted Planning Permission by the South Downs National Park Planning Authority. We are delighted to be part of the design team taking this exciting and important scheme forward.