London Fire Brigade has submitted a planning application for the refurbishment of its circa 111,000 sq ft site at 8 Albert Embankment.
The six floors of office space at the building, which sit above Lambeth fire station, were used as the brigade’s HQ until 2008 when it was relocated to Southwark. The space is currently vacant and the proposed plans will see the office space refurbished, brought back into use and occupied by the essential support services that make up the brigade’s headquarters function.
Alongside the renovated office space, work will be carried out to upgrade and refit Lambeth Fire Station. A new space will also be created, centred around the brigade’s existing Memorial Hall, where the sacrifice of fallen London firefighters is remembered.
As a Grade II listed structure, care will be taken to preserve key historic elements found in the original design of the building, which was built in the 1930s.
Jonathan Smith, London fire commissioner, said: “Moving our headquarters back to its historic location in Lambeth is not just the right decision for the brigade, but also for London and Londoners. By refurbishing and modernising an existing building we will be offering the best value for Londoners and maintaining an important presence on the Thames and in the heart of London. These plans will deliver an upgraded fire station to serve the people of Lambeth as well as some of London’s most celebrated locations.”
