RSHP revises Hammersmith proposals after objections

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Work was originally intended to start on site this year

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Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners has revealed revised plans for a major development centred on Hammersmith Town Hall.

RSHP submitted the scheme for planning in April and hoped work would begin on the flats, offices, shops and cinema this autumn.

But objections from Historic England and others delayed the project which has not yet received consent.

RSHP King Street Dec 2018_PROPOSED_BLOCK_A_SOUTH_ELEVATION-2150973

RSHP’s newest proposals for King Street, Hammersmith - proposed south elevation of block a

In the last three weeks a shelf-load of revised documents has been added to the planning application after the architect and council took the complaints into account.

The council and developer A2Dominion are now hoping the project will be approved in February. If so demolition of the brutalist town hall extension would start in the summer, construction would begin in 2020 and work would complete in late 2022. Some demolition work has already happened – including a cinema which actress Vanessa Redgrave fought to save.

RSHP newest King Street proposals winter 2018 (19)

RSHP’s newest proposals for King Street, Hammersmith

The main change was lopping a storey off the proposed glass roof extension on the old town hall and trim its lateral dimensions to reduce shading. Winter gardens have been added to the flats facing King Street and the A4 to improve air quality for residents.

The scheme has had a chequered planning history. RSHP – which used to be based in Hammersmith – is the third architect to work on the project after Sheppard Robson and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands schemes came to nothing.

>> Also read: Rogers ‘parachuted in’ to save Hammersmith Town Hall regen

RSHP newest King Street proposals winter 2018 (20)

RSHP’s newest proposals for King Street, Hammersmith - view from the south west

RSHP’s new proposals include 204 homes, of which 53% would be “genuinely affordable for local residents”, offices for start-ups and established businesses, a four-screen cinema, shops, cafes, a rooftop bar and restaurant and a community art and event space.

Council leader Stephen Cowan said: “The new civic campus will allow the council to cut building maintenance and rental costs. And by opening the Town Hall to the public, local start-up businesses and partner agencies, it will support H&F’s mission to modernise the council’s culture and deliver the best public services.”

Gillespies is responsible for the landscaping and Barton Willmore is planner.