Joseph Kay (1775–1847) was an English architect, particularly active in the early years of the 19th century, and associated with the layout of central Greenwich and with Hastings.
[1] Kay was a pupil of Samuel Pepys Cockerell,[2] and studied European architecture during a trip (1802–1805)[1] alongside Robert Smirke.
[1] In London, as surveyor to the Foundling Hospital,[3] he designed houses on the east side of Mecklenburgh Square (1810–21), and, as clerk of works to Greenwich Hospital,[3] he remodelled the town centre (creating Nelson Street, College Approach and the Market) in Greenwich (1829);[2][4][5] the nearby Trafalgar Tavern (1837) is also his work.
[2] His masterpiece was Pelham Crescent with the Church of St Mary-in-the-Castle in the centre, in Hastings, Sussex (1824–1828), built for Thomas Pelham, 2nd Earl of Chichester;[3][8] Colvin described it: Other buildings by Kay in Hastings also survive, including the Cupola, Minnis Rock and Belmont House.
Their eldest son, William Porden Kay (1809–1897)[12] also became an architect, emigrating to Australia in 1842 to become a Director of Public Works,[2] and designing Hobart's Government House.