Southwark Council together with real estate developer General Projects has completed the restoration of Walworth Town Hall complex, a hub for the local community since 1865 and a local landmark.
The restored building was reopened on Monday 24 March with a ceremony and plaque unveiling. The complex will now act as a centre for business, culture and community, providing new workspaces for over 550 workers with a blend of flexible offices coworking spaces and a community space.
Tuesday 25 March marked the 12th anniversary of the fire which inflicted significant damage to the Town Hall in 2013 leading to the need for the restoration. Comprehensive work has taken place since to transform the site’s fortunes, repairing damage, upgrading structures and modernising the layout to create a feel of both heritage mixed with modernity as the buildings move into a new era.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development said: “I’m thrilled to reopen this incredible building which represents such an important part of Southwark’s history and heritage.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the completion of the new community space on the ground floor which will be run for local residents, and will be a wonderful resource for people of all ages. The Walworth Town Hall is a treasure for our local community and I’m delighted that it is now ready for people to use and enjoy.”
The restoration serves as part of a wider £4bn regeneration of the Elephant & Castle area which began in 2010. The regeneration includes a brand new public square, Walworth Square, the restored Town Hall now opens onto.
The Town Hall’s footprint is 50,000 sq ft, with the adjoining former Newington Library and Cuming Museum.
Ensuring the new space has the desired effect of delivering a community-oriented vision will be a specific management team for the Walworth Town Hall Community Space, formed by local residents and Southwark Council representatives. Their board have met fortnightly for the last three years to ensure planning and operation run smoothly in the new era.
Manisha Patel, Chair of the Walworth Town Hall Community Space said: “We are proud to be representing our local community as part of this development. We see our role as stewards of the community space; to collaboratively achieve our mission of creating a thriving and diverse community hub for all. Our hope is that our community space will become a place where we can foster meaningful connections and create experiences of community joy for generations to come.”
The Walworth Town Hall Community Space’s team are working collaboratively with the estate developer General Projects who worked on the restoration after winning the contract against a competition of 60 applicants. General Projects worked with LGBTQ+-led, Peckham-based architect Felix and Merlin to create an impactful design. There was also collaboration with Historic England and local community groups to ensure that the reworked design felt true to the people of Southwark and the rich history of the town hall.
Frederic Schwass, Chief Development Officer at General Projects said: “We approached this project with a vision for developing a new blueprint for bringing at-risk municipal landmarks back to life. Restored to its former glory, Walworth Town Hall has been given back to a new generation with an exciting new purpose, made viable and fit for modern standards.
“It was vital to us that the building’s legacy was revealed rather than erased, while striking a careful balance between celebrating its inherited state and adapting it to modern use.
“Elephant and Castle is fast becoming a bustling new town centre for London, and Walworth Town Hall functions as a bridge between the area’s authentic heritage and its new future. Driven by a collaborative process, and tailor-made for small businesses to create, inspire and thrive, the reimagined Walworth Town Hall lays the groundwork for a new creative community to grow in this local destination.”