The demolition of the ugly and unpopular concrete extension outside Hammersmith Town Hall is almost complete. Few locals are shedding any tears. But keep reading to find out what’s coming next to the site…
From our new corner office in King Street we’ve had a ringside seat to the demolition of the ugly old Hammersmith Town Hall Extension.
If you missed it, watch our time-lapse video of the demolition below.
The Hammersmith Town Hall Extension was never a particularly popular building in terms of its looks. And we’ve waved goodbye with some glee recently as it has shrunk and shrunk, faster and faster. And we’re not alone.
Local resident Eric Williams remembers when the brutalist concrete Extension was built in front of the Grade II-listed Hammersmith Town Hall. He told Horton and Garton: “I remember (vaguely) it being built in the very early Seventies, and how my old house in Studland Street used to tremble when they were pile driving.
“It was an ugly sod of a building, so glad to see the back of it really, but now the old ABC cinema has gone too it’s amazing how much space there suddenly is. Hopefully, it’ll be turned back into something resembling the old gardens which used to sit between the town hall and King Street.”
While another resident wrote in to say succinctly: “Good to see the Extension finally coming down. It’s a long time coming!”
Let’s just say we’re all looking forward to the next chapter.
What’s happening now?
Now that it’s been reduced to a pile of rubble, the real show can begin. Which is the construction of the new ‘Civic Campus’ by Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
The new development should go some way to giving a shot in the arm to all the traders in the western end of King Street as it will include:
- a four-screen cinema
- genuinely affordable homes for local people
- performance space for an orchestra
- homework space for local young people
- a rooftop bar and café
- public art gallery space
- a new public square (so Mr Williams will get his wish,,,).
It’s being hailed by the council as a ‘21st century community asset for all residents’.
Building in stages
The Civic Campus project is being delivered by a joint venture partnership between the council and housing association A2Dominion.
Having completed the demolition works, the new Civic Campus will be built in phases, with the council saying it will be completed by August 2022. With the rest of the campus a year later, finishing the new cinema, the affordable housing and offices by August 2023.
We’ve got the best view
“As soon as the plans for the new Civic Campus were announced, I quickly had two cameras installed outside our King street office as I knew that the footage would be of great interest to many locals,” says John Horton, Director and Founder of Horton and Garton.
“Seeing the site on my way to work each morning, it’s not always obvious what has changed from the day before, it’s only when you see our time-lapse footage that you can comprehend the huge progress that’s been made – it’s great fun to watch!
“In fact, I’ve had ex-residents tuning in from all over the world and getting in touch to comment on the demolition, everyone is happy to see the site getting a new lease of life and we’re all excited to see what happens next.”
Do you have any memories of the ugly old Hammersmith Town Hall Extension? If so, tell us! Email: office@hortonandgarton.co.uk
To see more pictures from the architect of the Civic Campus, click here
