Award winning architects to lead Hornsey Town Hall restoration

Publication date: Tuesday 8 October 2013

Leading architecture firm Purcell has been brought on board by Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts to lead the redevelopment of Hornsey Town Hall – and “reconnect it with the heart of Crouch End”.

The RIBA award-winning firm will lead the design team for the restoration of the iconic Grade II* listed building.

The news comes after Mountview secured an initial £482,000 development grant from the Heritage Lottery Fun (HLF).

Haringey Council and Mountview, together with the independent Hornsey Town Hall Creative Trust, agreed in 2011 that the building should be brought back into use as the academy’s permanent home and an arts, culture and education hub for Haringey.

Purcell – which was chosen by a selection panel including representatives of Mountview’s board and Haringey Council – has a track record of heritage projects such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the National Maritime Museum and Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Their work on the Florence institute in Liverpool was awarded the RIBA North West Conservation Award and the Construction Heritage Award this year.

Mountview Chairman, Vikki Heywood CBE, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with Purcell, whose experience of the restoration and redevelopment on heritage buildings is first class.

“They bring with them a talented and experienced design team including Theatreplan, who will work closely with us to design bespoke theatre spaces for student and other performance work.

“This appointment marks a huge step forward for our planned move to Hornsey Town hall.”

The design team will be led by Mark Hammond, a partner at Purcell, and includes Associate architect Liz Smith, who is a Crouch End resident.  The team also includes structural engineers Ramboll, the Landscape Partnership and access consultant Access=Design.

Mark Hammond said:

“This landmark building demands a use that reconnects it with the life of Crouch End and Mountview will provide this.  We are thrilled to be selected to deliver this project.”

Liz Smith added:

“As a local resident of Crouch End, I’ve admired this wonderful building for years and am so delighted to now be able to play my part in this exciting project to breathe new life into it.”

Page last updated:

November 14, 2017

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