Printworks Will Remain a ‘Cultural Destination’ for London, Says British Land

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• Printworks Will Remain a ‘Cultural Destination’ for London, Says British Land

13 February 2024 | Updated 14 February 2024

As part of its Canada Water Masterplan, British Land hopes to “reinstate a permanent cultural venue” at the Printworks building.

The venue closed its doors in May 2023 after six years of hosting 300 music concerts and 200 film shoots. The space is known for its iconic press halls, which were once home to Harmsworth Quays, the largest printing factory in western Europe. The space was managed by music and arts operator Broadwick through a six-year temporary consent.

British Land and AustralianSuper have submitted a reserved matters planning application to retain a permanent cultural venue in one half of the space, with workspaces and retail in the other.

The designs, led by architects Hawkins/Brown, will keep the press halls for live music events, concerts, immersive art exhibitions and corporate events. Additional event space will be located at a new rooftop, as well as meeting and conference spaces overlooking the press halls.

Andrew Tindale, Associate at Hawkins/Brown commented on the retrofit: “We took inspiration from the bold and functional form of the original Harmsworth Quay Printworks building to generate the architectural response; retaining as much of the structure and framework of the existing building means that we are minimising demolition and embodied carbon.”

London Night Czar Amy Lamé has called the plans “an exciting new chapter as we build a better London for everyone.”

Read more about the Canada Water Masterplan here.

Picture: a CGI showing the reimagined press hall with a large staircase and meeting rooms on each floor overlooking the space. Image Credit: British Land

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 13 February 2024

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