Weekly planning news from the central London boroughs
Camden
The Camden New Journal reports that neighbours are fearing ’round the clock’ events after the refurbishment of Camden Town Hall will see its new offices open 24/7. Il Bottaccio, a high end events company, is moving into the refurbished offices on the first and second floor of the refurbished building and has secured a late license to operate. Il Batticcio says that the global nature of work today means that it is common for offices to be open 24/7.
The Camden New Journal also reports that new affordable housing is part of the “masterplan” behind a scheme to build a new film production complex in Kentish Town. Yoo Capital director Lloyd Lee, who is behind the project to convert eight acres of light industrial land in Regis Road, told the New Journal that a top priority was to build 400 affordable homes – 50 per cent of the 800 projected for the site.
City of London
Architects’ Journal reports that City of London Corporation is seeking an architect for a £17.5 million refurbishment of its Guildhall Yard East office complex. The winning team will review existing proposals and draw up RIBA Stage 3 detailed designs to reconfigure and upgrade the 1990s Richard Gilbert Scott-designed complex which neighbours the Square Mile’s Grade I-listed Guildhall.
City AM reports that The £353m Picton Property Income trust has sold its second largest office, Angel Gate in London, for £29.6m. The deal, which will be completed next week, is part of the trust’s plan to move away from office assets, bringing its exposure to the sector from 30 per cent to 28 per cent.
City of Westminster
EG Radius reports that the Westminster office pipeline is “nowhere near demand” as concerns surrounding employment space resurface following Westminster’s refusal to grant planning permission for an office redevelopment on Savile Row.
Property Week reports that Feldberg Capital has paid around £75m for a mixed-use building in London’s Covent Garden for its ReForm Fund. The property at 21-25 Bedford Street is the second purchase for Feldberg’s £500m central London brown-to-green impact fund, following its purchase of 8 Bloomsbury Street at the end of last year. Feldberg is planning a raft of environmental, social and governance upgrades to the building, including removing gas boilers and installing air-source and water-source heat pumps, plus solar panels.