The "Officers' New Barracks"
was designed by Anthony Salvin, a leading architect
of the 1850s.
The building is 383ft (117m) long and sited to the south
of the
Pharos overlooking
the Channel. It was constructed between December 1856
and June 1858 at a cost of £50,000.
A contemporary guidebook noted that it could accommodate
45 officers, a mess establishment and had stabling for
12 horses and a coach house. The first occupants of
the the mess were Colonel Gilpin and the officers of
the Bedfordshire Militia, in October 1858.
The building has stood empty for a number of years and
has had most of its interior walls and fittings removed.
In Summer 2003 the building was opened to accommodate
a temporary art exhibition. This has provided a rare
opportunity to see inside the building.
All the interior shots were taken on 30th May 2003.
