Former Royal Marines Museum & Batteries, Eastney Esplanade, Southsea, PO4 9PX | Property for sale | Savills
59,410 sq ft(5,519.37 sq m)
Price on application

Former Royal Marines Museum & BatteriesEastney Esplanade, Southsea, PO4 9PX

  • Freehold

Key features

  • Freehold Available
  • Adjacent to Eastney Esplanade/Beach and Seafront
  • 8.159 acre site (3.3 ha)
  • Attractive Grade II Listed building and Grade II Listed Coastal Batteries
  • Approximate GIA of 60,000 sq ft
  • 110 space car park included
  • Potential for a variety of uses (STP)
  • Benefits from planning permission for Hotel use
  • Offers on a unconditional only invited
  • Best Bids Deadline of Midday (12:00) Tuesday 10th November 2026

Development Opportunity with Planning Consent for Hotel Use - Unconditional Offers Invited Best Bids Deadline: Midday, Tuesday 10th November

About this property

  • Description
    The property comprises a substantial 3.5 storey (plus basement) former 'Royal Marines Museum' building that stands at the northeast end of the former barracks complex, a large lawned area to the front of the building, a 110 space car park on the Eastney Esplanade Frontage, as well as Eastney Battery East on its frontage.

    The building is of substantial Victorian construction including an imposing central section with balcony colonnades, a twin external staircase and central stone gabling incorporating a coat of arms. The main building is constructed of solid red brick in Flemish bond with yellow brick frieze and rusticated quoins and pilasters. The roof is slate hipped in the centre with mansard roof over the wings.

    For the site is surrounded with the boundary knapped flint stone perimeter wall which runs along the side and rear and are protected as Scheduled Ancients Monuments (SAM).

    Use
    The subject building operated as a museum between October 1958 and November 2018. Prior to its museum use, it comprised residential accommodation for the Ministry of Defence. The property is currently vacant and not in use. The property benefits from planning permission for hotel use, subject to compliance with the relevant planning conditions and any implementation requirements.

    Planning
    We outline below the specific planning detail applicable to the site.

    Grade II Listed
    Eastney Barracks Conservation Area
    Not in a prohibitive flood zone

    The relevant policies applicable to the site include:-

    The Portsmouth Plan (adopted 2012)
    Seafront Masterplan (March 2021)
    Seafront Masterplan SPD Sustainability Appraisal Report (March 2021)
    Portsmouth Economic development and regeneration strategy

    The objective of the PCS9 in Portsmouth City plan applies to the proposed site significantly which the policy seeks to ensure that at any new development will contribute to the revitalisation of the seafront, tourism and the wider regeneration strategy of the City.

    There is an overage on the title, in favour of the MOD, which is triggered if a GDV more than £20m is achieved. More details can be supplied upon request.

    Planning Application
    A previous application (22/00305/FUL), for Change of use from Museum to Hotel, to include associated alterations, rear extension at second floor level and construction of single storey amenities building near the southern parking area, was withdrawn in November 2022 in light off the concerns expressed by the Planning Officer regarding the location of the intended amenity building.

    A revised planning application (22/01579/FUL) was subsequently submitted and approved for the change of use from Museum to Hotel, including associated alterations and the construction of a single-storey amenities building (resubmission of withdrawn application 22/00305/FUL).

    EPC
    Will be provided upon request.

    Guide Price
    Offers are invited on an unconditional basis only. The property will be sold with vacant possession, and VAT is applicable. A Best Bids deadline has been set for Midday (12:00) Tuesday 10th November 2026.

    Anti-Money Laundering Regulations
    In accordance with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations, the preferred purchaser will be required to provide identification and proof of address, prior to exchange.

    Viewing
    For a formal viewing strictly by appointment with Savills.

Local information

  • The subject property is located at the Eastney Suburb to the south-east of the City of Portsmouth. It is located on the seafront of Eastney Esplanade. The building itself is situated on the north side of the Eastney Esplanade overlooking Eastney Beach and Seafront, situated on flat and low-lying ground adjacent to Solent Shore. The building, known as The Former Royal Marine Museum, is over 150 years old, designed by William Scamp, it was originally constructed as the Headquarters of the Royal Marines Artillery in the 1860s as the former Officer’s Mess on the Eastney Barracks site.

Available space

Namesq ftsq mAvailability
Lower Ground - Basement9,452878.12Available
Ground14,3871,336.60Available
1st14,4481,342.26Available
2nd12,3071,143.36Available
3rd8,816819.03Available