Restoration works begin at Hornsey Town Hall in north London
![Hornsey Town Hall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dhkJCrFLgNqYEi2SSr7WkG-415-80.jpg)
In 1930s Britain, local councils were having a heyday. From the late 19th century, the government had taken the reins on electricity, rail, postal services, telephone lines and water, amongst other public services. A thriving network of local councils, housed in town halls, was developed to support the activity. Between the two wars, 26 town halls were built across London.
The Grade II* listed Hornsey Town Hall, in north London’s pleasant neighbourhood of Crouch End, is a monument to this golden age. Completed in 1935, the building was designed by 27 year old Reginald Harold Uren, a Bartlett-school educated New Zealander and modernist. The brick exterior with its central tower and elongated windows was inspired by Hilversum Town Hall in the Netherlands – a town hall praised as exemplary by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
A progressive symbol of local government, the main town hall held a council chamber, committee rooms, offices and a hall for 800 people, and was flanked by an electricity showrooms. The design was a faithful reflection of late Edwardian British architecture, yet also combined modernist elements. The ornamental metal work and carved Portland stone nodded to the art deco and the arts and craft movements. While the steel and reinforced concrete structure lifted from Bauhaus-style construction.
Committee room at Hornsey Town Hall in 1935. Photo courtesy of RIBA
After it ceased operations as a town hall in the 1960s, it was periodically used for music and theatre, but was waiting for a bright idea – and some investment – to bring it back to life.
During this time, however, the interiors stayed remarkably preserved. The Ashton marble staircase, saucer chandeliers, Australian walnut and Indian laurel panelling and cork floors all show the decay of time, yet the town hall became a time capsule.
Fast-forward to 2019 and developer Far East Consortium has just broken ground on a restoration, renovation and regeneration for the whole site.
The restoration by Donald Insall Associates aims to take the building back to 1930s glory – with plans for reupholstered leather seating in the council chamber, restored signage, metal balustrading, parquet and terrazzo. Even the 73 clocks will be restored to working order.
When it reopens in 2022, the Hornsey Town Hall will be serving the people again – this time with an art centre, café, restaurant, hotel and co-working spaces. The Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre will be operated by the Time + Space Co, with a rich programme of events, performances and comedy shows.
The entrance foyer at Hornsey Town Hall, currently being restored by Donald Insall Associates
The regeneration of the site also includes two new residential buildings with 146 homes. Make Architects’ design takes cues from the Hornsey Town Hall, with layered brickwork, geometric metal balustrades, and subtle art deco style interiors such as replica door handles and chevron timber flooring.
FEC’s plan combines restoration with contemporary architecture, but most importantly renews the purpose of the building: ‘Community spirit is very much at the core of Hornsey Town Hall’s future and we are looking forward to seeing this historic building becoming an integral part of the local community again,’ says Angela Walsh, head of sales and marketing at FEC.
So while the Hornsey Town Hall may be changing function from its original purpose, its restoration and preservation as a community building still pays respect to its history.
For the November issue (W*248), photographer Romain Duquesne captured politicians on the campaign trail at Hornsey Town Hall
Built in 1935, the Hornsey Town Hall is a monument to a golden age of local council leadership in Britain. The Grade II* listed brick building, inspired by a Dutch design with art deco and Bauhaus influence, is now undergoing a process of restoration and regeneration. Before works began, we explored the building with photographer Romain Duquesne, to follow a group of suave politicians on the campaign trail documenting body language, briefcases and Balenciaga – see the result in the November issue (W*248) – on newsstands now
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Harriet Thorpe is a writer, journalist and editor covering architecture, design and culture, with particular interest in sustainability, 20th-century architecture and community. After studying History of Art at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and Journalism at City University in London, she developed her interest in architecture working at Wallpaper* magazine and today contributes to Wallpaper*, The World of Interiors and Icon magazine, amongst other titles. She is author of The Sustainable City (2022, Hoxton Mini Press), a book about sustainable architecture in London, and the Modern Cambridge Map (2023, Blue Crow Media), a map of 20th-century architecture in Cambridge, the city where she grew up.
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture lovers
Auberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
By Harriet Thorpe Published
-
This Nova Lima apartment is a Brazilian family oasis with striking Minas Gerais views
A Nova Lima apartment designed by Jacobsen Arquitetura celebrates its long, natural Minas Gerais vistas
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
Tour the Natural History Museum’s new gardens, a Jurassic lark in London
The Natural History Museum in London has unveiled two new gardens, with resident dinosaurs, after a transformation led by architects Feilden Fowles
By Bridget Downing Published
-
Drama Republic moves into a colourful, handcrafted workspace in London
For the new creative HQ of production company Drama Republic, Emil Eve Architects remodels a warehouse into office space in London’s Holborn
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
Hideaway House in London features timber panelling inspired by the New York hospitality scene
The elegantly refurbished Hideaway House by Studio McW in London features timber panelling inspired by Philip Johnson’s The Four Seasons Restaurant
By Léa Teuscher Published
-
An Uxbridge annexe by Bureau de Change is a design for effortless intergenerational living
Uxbridge Bower, a residential annexe in west London, is a contemporary addition offering both privacy and connection for the needs of a family
By Tianna Williams Published
-
‘Modern Buildings’ tours south-east London through a guide to post-war Blackheath and Greenwich
‘Modern Buildings: Blackheath and Greenwich’ is a detailed survey of a London borough’s rich trove of new modernist architecture
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Triangle House invites you to its inner world of colourful surprises
Triangle House by Artefact is a private home in Epsom, outside London, combining Caribbean style, colour and functionality
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Tour the refreshed Saint Andrew Holborn: an icon reveals its crisp new interior in London
DaeWha Kang reimagines Saint Andrew Holborn church through a sensitive architectural solution that blends tradition and modernity in London
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
A Suffolk house by Studio Bark pairs a fresh visual language with low-energy design
Suffolk house Water Farm is off-the-grid but defiantly on the map, a bold new object in the landscape with a strong visual impact and minimal carbon footprint
By Jonathan Bell Published