Planning Potential and Heritage Potential supported the rejuvenation of the Grade II listed Camden Town Hall, and successfully secured a series of planning and listed building consents to allow for a new tenant fit-out, serving both office and event functions.
Dating back to 1937, the Grade II listed Camden Town Hall was designed by architect A. J. Thomas, a former assistant to the renowned Edwin Lutyens. The 'stripped classical' structure stands as a monument to the evolution of architectural taste during the interwar period and features significant Art Deco interiors.
Planning Potential coordinated the various permissions to be obtained in line with a tight programme. Through on-site findings, archival research and close collaboration with the wider design team, Heritage Potential provided guidance on appropriate stylistic interventions and justified the various proposals within heritage impact assessments.
Following a series of pre-application discussions and site meetings with the Council's Conservation Officer, the team secured the necessary full consents for an extensive fit-out and rejuvenation of different spaces across all floor levels. A series of follow-up applications have also allowed for adaptations based on on-site findings and user requirements.
The project facilitated the reuse of primary and secondary floorspace, including the Camden Centre events hall, rearrangement of floorplans, new lighting and acoustic measures, improved disabled access and fire safety, upgraded M&E, enhanced servicing and circulation patterns, alongside a holistic, period-appropriate fit-out to re-use and better reveal historic fabric wherever possible.
Conservation repairs were also integral to the project, to ensure that the venue’s preservation and upgrade to meet 21st-century requirements and prepare it for long-term occupancy.
The successful completion of this project ensures that this iconic building continues to serve Camden effectively while preserving and enhancing its historical and architectural significance.
