Major step towards creating Woolwich creative district

Published:  05 September, 2017

Bennetts Associates has been appointed architect for the transformation of part of the historic Royal Arsenal riverfront site in Woolwich into a 16 500 m2 creative hub. The Woolwich Creative District will turn the unused Grade II and Grade II*-listed buildings into a space that will include a 450-seat theatre, a performance courtyard seating up to 600 and 10 rehearsal studios, as well as a base for internationally acclaimed theatre companies.

Steeped in history, the Royal Arsenal site has long been identified as a key driver for the local economy. The local community has fed in some inspiring ideas through a consultation exercise, which Bennetts Associates will use as the brief for the design.

Rab Bennetts, founding director of Bennetts Associates, says, ‘It is a privilege to be designing one of the most significant cultural projects in the UK. Converting the historic Woolwich Arsenal buildings into a series of vibrant performing-arts venues could hardly be more rewarding.

‘We are excited at the prospect of seeing this fascinating part of London establish its place on the cultural map of Europe.’