Spitbank Fort | deniz beck

Constructed as a result of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom 1859, Spitbank Fort was completed in 1878, forming part of a impressive ring of Victorian fortifications defending Portsmouth and it’s crucial role in Naval warfare. A man-made island protecting the Solent from a threat that never materialized, Spitbank was declared surplus to requirements by the MoD just over 80 years later, but it suffered a further 20 years of decay before it arrived in the care of a private owner in 1982. After changing hands a number of times over the years, in 2009 the Fort was bought by Clarenco, with the intention of converting it into a luxury retreat. Following years of exposure to the elements, Spitbank was considered a ‘Building at Risk’ by English Heritage, and the difficult task of regenerating the site was overseen by local firm PLC Architects. Three years later, Spitbank Fort has recently opened for booking as an exclusive hotel and function venue.