British Land and AustralianSuper have submitted a planning application to reinstate a permanent cultural venue at the Printworks building in Canada Water.
The joint venture partners are in exclusive talks with electronic music and arts operator Broadwick – which operated the site through a six-year temporary consent before the venue closed its doors to the public last summer – to operate the permanent venue.
Designed by architects Hawkins\Brown, the new venue will occupy one half of the existing building, with the other half of the building – known as The Grand Press – offering workspace and retail space.
The proposals for the new Printworks venue, which is scheduled to reopen in 2026, include retention of the building’s iconic Press Halls; a brand-new rooftop leisure and cultural space; a new performance space dedicated to immersive exhibitions, multi-disciplinary art shows and more intimate music events called The Inkwells; and a series of new suites offering views of the Press Halls, which can be used for meetings, conferences, events and corporate hospitality
Emma Cariaga, joint head of Canada Water at British Land, said: “We want to deliver a permanent world-class cultural venue at Printworks that builds on its globally acclaimed legacy. Combining the best of the capital’s culture with next generation workspace at The Grand Press will create an unrivalled experiential destination, which generations will benefit from for years to come.
“Printworks had a tremendous impact on the UK’s cultural landscape, and its popularity over the past six years has demonstrated how important this multi-dimensional venue is to Londoners and visitors from all over the world who were drawn to its cutting-edge programming. We’re extremely proud to be the stewards of this important cultural destination, and we look forward to progressing our plans to deliver the new Printworks as part of our wider Canada Water masterplan.”
Paul Clark, head of real assets for Europe at AustralianSuper, added: “Printworks will be a cultural centre piece to a major placemaking project that reflects both the long-term nature of AustralianSuper’s capital and our ongoing commitment to London and the UK. We believe this strategic project will provide long-term benefits to AustralianSuper members, as well as enhancing the cultural offering at Canada Water and contributing positively to the local community.”
Simeon Aldred, co-owner and director of strategy at Broadwick Live, said: “Broadwick Group is delighted to continue our exclusive partnership with British Land and AustralianSuper for the highly anticipated next phase of Printworks London. The preservation and repurposing of the cherished Press Halls, coupled with the profound cultural implications of this undertaking, represent our joint commitment to the advancement of culture in the capital.
“We eagerly anticipate engaging with our community and wider audiences on this groundbreaking cultural investment of global significance. Their ongoing support is paramount to the revival of Printworks London for both local, national and international audiences to enjoy.
London Night Czar Amy Lamé added: “Printworks was a fantastic addition to London’s world-renowned cultural scene, attracting people from all around the globe and setting new and ambitious standards for all to follow. I’ve worked closely with the operator and owner, and I’m thrilled by these inspiring new plans to create an incredible permanent venue. This will be an exciting new chapter as we build a better London for everyone.”
