News Walthamstow

Granada Theatre restoration project recognised by London building awards

Wood Street’s Sunflower House and Waltham Forest’s Heritage List are also nominated at The Building London Planning Awards, reports Marco Marcelline

(Main image), Soho Theatre Walthamstow, Credit: David Levene, (Inset) Wood Street Families and Homes Hub, Credit: Waltham Forest Council

Waltham Forest Council has earned three nominations at a prestigious awards ceremony supported by the Mayor of London.

The restoration of the former Granada Cinema into Soho Theatre Walthamstow and the Wood Street Families and Homes Hub development are both in the running at The Building London Planning Awards, to be held on 14th October.

Waltham Forest’s Heritage List has also been nominated for the community engagement award. The list is a comprehensive record of unique buildings, structures and public artworks which have been voted for by local residents. 

The awards ceremony celebrates “outstanding town planning and creative development” across the capital. Close to 50 projects are in the running for more than ten accolades. 

The former Granada Theatre reopened in May as Soho Theatre Walthamstow after years of painstaking restorative work. Meanwhile, the Wood Street Families and Homes Hub opened in full last year. It includes a ground floor council services centre called Sunflower House and above floor housing called Precision House.

Sunflower House in Wood Street was also nominated, Credit: BusinessLDN/Waltham Forest Council

This year’s shortlist encompasses a wide range of projects in the capital, from “ambitious” housing, mixed-use and office developments, to “innovative” public spaces, to major infrastructure installations.

Also among those in contention are the ABBA Arena in Stratford, the newly opened Silvertown Tunnel in Greenwich and the masterplan for the redevelopment of the iconic Earl’s Court site in West London.

An expert industry panel composed of figures from architectural firms, the Greater London Authority, councils, and Transport for London judged the entrants. 

Ahsan Khan, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “Being nominated for three projects at the Building London Planning Awards is a great achievement and showcases the hard work and dedication of our place and design teams.

“Reopening the former Granada cinema as Soho Theatre Walthamstow has given local children the chance to learn more about culture and we hope will inspire the next generation of performing talent. 

“Sunflower House on Wood Street gathers family-focused services in one building to help residents in need, with a new 100% affordable housing development Precision House above. This project has allowed us to create a new purpose-built library up the road on Wood Street that benefits the whole community.”

He added: “I’m particularly pleased that our Local Heritage List has been recognised. Allowing residents the chance to nominate their favourite buildings that they want to see preserved gives the community a real voice about how they see the future of our borough.”

Muniya Barua, deputy chief executive at BusinessLDN, said: “The calibre of projects put forward for the Building London Planning Awards this year is stronger than ever. The innovation and cutting-edge design on display across the capital’s built environment is essential to maintaining London’s position as the best place in the world to live, work and do business. 

“This year’s ceremony is set to be our biggest ever, and will bring together key players from across the sector to celebrate how it is reshaping our city for the better.”


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