Study details London Millennium projects

Details are emerging of Millennium projects in London after the publication last week of The London Millennium Study. More than 100 projects are listed in the report (DW 3 February).

London’s Hackney Empire theatre is one of the host of smaller Millennium projects to have already worked on their plans with designers and architects.

The Hackney Empire is discussing an ú11.5m restoration of its theatre with central London practice CGHP Architects. The new design would focus on disabled access and buying adjacent sites.

The study, published last week by private sector group London First, the London Arts Board and the Sports Council, reveals Brentford’s Musical Museum is hoping for a ú4m purpose-built site for its live demonstrations of automatic musical instruments.

The University of North London in Islington plans a galleria to link its North and South sides and the Royal Air Force Museum in Hendon has applied for funds to design a new visitors’ building costing up to ú5m.

The Royal Academy of Dancing in Battersea has not yet appointed designers or architects for its planned ú5m theatre designed especially for ballet.

Camden’s ú250m Crossmillennia project includes the refurbishment of listed buildings on railway land near King’s Cross. Involved in the bid to date are building design groups BDP and DEGW, architect Ralph Erskine, and graphics group John and Orna Designs.

The study calls for more involvement from local authorities, sports, science and environmental organisations, and reveals a geographical bias towards activity in the centre of London and on the banks of the Thames.