Originally built for local department store Hanningtons as a furniture depository, the "magnificent red-brick building" was converted into offices for the Legal & General insurance company in 1972.

In 1898,[8] Hanningtons found a suitable site in Hove, then a smaller town adjoining Brighton to the west, and commissioned architects Clayton & Black to draw up a plan for a furniture depository.

On 16 March 1899, Hove Council gave their approval to the proposal; but work was delayed for more than two years until the land could be bought from the estate of the Goldsmid family.

[15] Clayton & Black were again commissioned to extend the premises in 1915 and 1925; the latter work consisted of a workshop and stables, which were added to the northeast (Montefiore Road) side.

Architects Devereux and Partners undertook an "elegant" conversion of the premises on behalf of the insurance firm, including reglazing the windows while restoring their arched surrounds to their original condition.

[2][19] Renovations, which involved preserving the exterior features while removing all the old interior fittings and installing facilities such as operating theatres and consultation rooms,[19] were carried out by Nightingale Architects with oversight from the hospital's director.

[24] Private facilities established at The Montefiore Hospital since it opened include the Sussex IBS Clinic, for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome,[25][26] and the Spring Orthopaedic Centre.

This meant the building was not well suited to the open-plan layout preferred in modern offices: "little interest" was shown by prospective commercial buyers during the years it was on the market.