London Square has been given the go-ahead for the residential development incorporating an exciting art centre on the site of the former police station site in Greenwich.
The police station will be demolished to make way for 59 homes, with 11 for affordable rent, two shared ownership and 46 apartments for private sale. The development has a GDV of £28m. There will also be 136m2of high-quality community space at street level, with its entrance opposite the Art Deco Greenwich Borough Hall auditorium, where a new theatre is planned.
London Square plans to let the community space to Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency, a local charity working to create an art gallery for visual arts and crafts, classes and workshops, for local residents and for visitors, attracted by the rich history and magnificent landmarks in the area.
The 0.53 acre development site, in the attractive West Greenwich Conservation Area on Royal Hill, Greenwich, SE10, is currently occupied by the police station, and forms part of a cluster of civic buildings, including the former Town Hall which is Grade II listed. The police station was acquired by London Square in March 2018 from the Metropolitan Police, as part of a London-wide disposal of property.
The scheme was developed in consultation with the local community, the Greenwich Society, Historic England and the Conservation Officer for Greenwich. The new building has been designed by Formation Architects to reflect its listed surroundings, with a sleek grey brick façade, distinctive lines and sculpted exterior.
Adam Lawrence, Chief Executive, London Square, commented: "This is a prestigious site in the heart of Greenwich and we are delighted to be given the opportunity to deliver new homes and community space for the arts, while reflecting the heritage of this important conservation area."
Michael Richter, Director at Formation Architects, added: "The architectural language of the new building draws on that of the adjacent listed former Greenwich Town Hall. The scheme’s layout has been developed and designed to complement its setting, both in form as well as the function of the new building."