Moda Living invited local residents, community groups and councillors for a day of food, drinks and live entertainment as part of its sponsorship of Brighton Festival 2022. The event took place on Saturday 28 May, in The Riwaq, Hove; a venue designed by Marwa Al-Sabouni and Ghassan Jansiz. Build to Rent operator Moda, which is regenerating the former Sackville Road Trading Estate in Hove, is supporting this year’s Brighton Festival as part of its long-term strategy to back local arts that help bring people together.
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Moda’s Hove neighbours, community groups and local councillors to The Riwaq for an afternoon of Festival fun and of course delicious food and drinks.”
James Blakey, Planning Director, Moda
Moda is sponsoring Brighton Festival Guest Co-Director Marwa al-Sabouni’s incredible flagship project, which has taken centre stage at this year’s Festival on Hove seafront. The horseshoe shaped Riwaq – which is named after the Arabic word for colonnade – is built from reclaimed timber on the idea of exchange and community. It delivers a space that reflects Moda’s own passion for creating places that people want to build communities in.
“This year’s festival theme of Rebuilding comes as people are reunited once again and we realise how fundamental to our happiness it is to have the freedom to be able to see our friends, family and neighbours. Community is paramount to Moda’s neighbourhoods so supporting an arts space that puts togetherness and interaction at its heart has been an honour.”
James Blakey, Planning Director, Moda
Moda set up its own area at The Riwaq, bringing along a gazebo for guests and catering from Alfriston’s Rathfinny Wine Estate. Guests also had the opportunity to watch performances by learning disabled performers including Carousel Chorus, Beat Express, The Black Bawlerz, Dima Zouchinski and spoken word artists, Eleana Re, Yass Zelestine and Charlie Hatton, as well as a collection of Blue Camel Club DJs and Carousel artists.
“As we welcome audiences back to Brighton Festival for the first full scale programme since 2019, we are very grateful for the support from Moda which has helped us to stage amazing performances from local and international artists at The Riwaq.”
Andrew Comben, CEO, Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival
Moda is delivering the new Sackville Road neighbourhood which will include 564 Build to Rent homes – a mix of studio apartments to three-bedroom homes, of which 10% will be affordable. The scheme will transform the former estate into a multigenerational neighbourhood in the heart of Hove across six new buildings, interspersed with new landscaped green spaces, pedestrian routes and public realm.
The scheme which will cater to all ages and requirements will offer a range of amenities including a 24/7 gym, roof terraces, communal lounges and co-working spaces, as well as 260 care community homes.
“When complete, our development will give people a place where they can make new friends, join in with group activities and access wellness support services. We all know that renting an apartment in Brighton and Hove can come with a level of uncertainty when the landlord decides to sell or move back in, but with our Build to Rent community in Hove, residents will know that their rental property is there to stay, giving them a place they can call home for as long as they need it.”
James Blakey, Planning Director, Moda
