St Peter's Church, the landmark former parish church of Brighton, is also nearby. With its 1,800-capacity auditorium, the Astoria was the largest cinema on the south coast of England and was classed as a "super-cinema". The Astoria chain, previously associated with London, expanded across several English seaside resorts; Brighton's was planned as the flagship. In assessing its importance, English Heritage also noted it was "the principal survivor" of the Astorias outside London. The Astoria stood within the Valley Gardens Conservation Area, one of 34 conservation areas in the city of Brighton and Hove. This was designated by Brighton Council in 1973 and covers . The council's Conservation Area Study, published in September 1995, noted that it was the only remaining 1930s building in the immediate area. In contrast to more modern buildings such as Trustcard House, Lombard House and (on the opposite side of Valley Gardens) new houses and the University of Brighton's Art, Design and Humanities premises on Grand Parade, the Astoria "[was] much more appropriate in scale and respects the traditional vertical plot emphasis" of the older surrounding buildings. A souvenir brochure produced for the opening night contained details of all companies and contractors involved in building and fitting out the Astoria. Edward Albert Stone was the architect, Griggs & Son Ltd of Westminster were the main building contractors, Major C.H. Bell acted as consultant engineer and local firm H. Lasenby Bros. were contracted to demolish and clear the site. The main concrete structure of the building was supplied by British Reinforced Concrete Engineering Co. Ltd of Stafford. The cast stone façade was produced by the Patent Impervious Stone and Construction Co Ltd of Leyton. Another London firm, Dawnay & Sons Ltd, provided the steelwork, but the brickwork was produced locally by the Sussex Brick Co. Ltd of Horsham. Tiling company Ramsdens of Westminster were responsible for the terrazzo floors and wall decoration, and the plasterwork was by H.E. Gaze Ltd of London. Two other London firms, the Carrier Engineering Co. Ltd and Berkeley Electrical Engineering Co. Ltd, respectively supplied ventilation and heating equipment and installed the electric systems and lighting. Furnishings were by W.W. Turner & Co. Ltd of Birmingham, and Henri & Laverdet Ltd (the firm of Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet) were the interior designers. The John Compton Organ Co. of Acton installed the organ.