The imposing Bethnal Green Town Hall, which has stood in the heart of London’s vibrant East End since Edwardian times, reopened its doors in April 2010 as the Town Hall Hotel Apartments. After a visionary extension and a sensitive restoration under the direction of Rare Architecture, Town Hall, offers a new concept for London’s culturally diverse and energetic East End.

Offering a mix of studios, one bedroom suites, two bedroom suites and feature rooms, every apartment is unique.  With fully integrated kitchens complete with Corian work surfaces as well as bespoke, architect designed bathrooms every apartment has been individually designed offering mid century antique furniture mixed with contemporary  Scandinavian inspired hand-crafted pieces.  The apartments are further enhanced with lighting by Viabizzuno whilst the original sash windows flood the rooms with natural light.  As a cultural hub of the East End and former backdrop to many films including Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Atonement, Town Hall strongly believes in supporting the local community.  As a result Town Hall enlisted the support of East End based Artsadmin to run an open commission scheme asking up and coming local artists to create works for the new hotel.  The judging panel, which included individuals such as Manick Govinda, and Iwona Blazwick, Director of Whitechapel Gallery, selected and commissioned five artists to display their pieces in the lobby, restaurant and apartments.  The installations were launched throughout 2010 and represent a concentration of the talent in the East End, widely recognised as London’s avant-garde artistic heartland. And 2011 will see phase II of the installations being completed.

Whilst the imposing Edwardian frontage and neo-classical façade were restored and preserved, Rare Architects also added a contemporary extension which is discreetly set back from the frontage but forms a stunning new rear facade, marrying together three phases of construction.  Rare has also adopted a cutting-edge technique that covers the new outer wall with a metal ‘skin’, laser cut in a pattern inspired by the art-deco metal ornamentation in the building’s original and still remaining Council Chamber. The new functional ornament regulates solar gains, views and privacy, forming an abstract object: an ephemeral background set against the classical existing façade.

 

TOWN HALL HOTEL & APARTMENTS

Patriot Square – London E2 9NF

United Kingdom

Source: Town Hall Hotel Apartments