Feix and Merlin’s restoration and transformation of Walworth Town Hall in South London establishes a dynamic new workspace and community hub, breathing new life into the Grade-II listed landmark over a decade after it was damaged by fire.

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Chris Wharton

Peckham studio Feix and Merlin has completed the restoration of Walworth Town Hall in South London. Commissioned by developer General Projects in partnership with Southwark Council, the project revives the historic building as a vibrant hub for local businesses and community groups. The town hall, a focal point of the area since its opening in 1894, had been placed on Historic England’s “Heritage at Risk” register following significant fire damage in 2013. After years of careful restoration, it has now been removed from the register, ready to serve the community once again.

The project reimagines the 50,000-square-foot site, which includes the adjoining former Newington Library and Cuming Museum, as a versatile destination for independent, creative enterprises. Accommodating more than 550 workers, the town hall offers flexible offices and coworking spaces tailored to small and medium-sized businesses. Public areas include a ground-floor community centre, a new café, a restaurant situated within the revitalised central lobby, as well as a new grand staircase and ground-floor entrance that opens onto Walworth Square, enhancing accessibility and linking the site to the wider regeneration of Elephant and Castle.

“As architects, our role often involves creating transformational change, and it’s true that Walworth Town Hall has undergone a remarkable rebirth. But in this case, much of our work was about knowing where and when to hold back — allowing the building to guide us and reveal what was needed,” said Julia Feix, founding partner at Feix and Merlin.

“The original town hall was actually a collection of four individual buildings with extensions/infills, all with different floor levels and separate circulation spaces, mostly without lift access. We introduced a new lift core and, with some spatial gymnastics connecting the individual buildings in strategic places, managed to create level access across most of the spaces.”

“Whilst minimising additional built fabric, we unlocked previously stair-restricted areas, ensuring they are now accessible and welcoming for all users, regardless of their mobility. Most of the ground floor is open to the public, reinforcing our commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. This very much reflects our philosophy of people-centred design; we always try to balance inclusivity with respect for the building’s historic integrity and fabric.”

“Where new structural interventions were required, we prioritised sustainability, using cross laminated timber (CLT) and Glulam as the primary materials. This allowed us to align the building’s future with contemporary standards of sustainability.”

CLT has been used extensively to replace fire-damaged sections of the building. A vaulted ceiling has been reconstructed in CLT, creating a contemporary interpretation of the original design, while the former council chamber, devastated by fire and water damage, has been reimagined as a dramatic triple-height space.

Elsewhere, CLT plays a key role in the lobby and café, where walls removed due to fire damage have made way for a welcoming open-plan layout. Timber ceilings and arched columns add warmth to the space, which will soon house Jusu Brothers’ second London café outpost.

A bespoke timber soffit and beams are now illuminated by a recessed barrisol lighting system that simulates natural light, drawing attention to the soaring ceiling, while a perforated metal balustrade on the extended second-floor gallery echoes the decorative detailing of the original railing.

Original timber elements have, where possible, been kept too: oak floors throughout the building have been restored and complemented by new herringbone parquet. Further cosmetic restoration has seen walls below the dado line have been repainted, while those above have been left exposed, preserving a tangible connection to the building’s history.

On the ground floor, where the community centre is situated, has been designed as a series of three flexible rooms that can accommodate a variety of activities. Managed by the Walworth Town Hall Community Space Board — a collaboration between local residents, youth representatives, council members, and General Projects’ management arm, General People — the space is intended to serve as a vital resource for the neighbourhood.

General People, which specialises in tailored workspaces for creative industries, has integrated its Business Incubator Programme at Walworth. Originally launched at Expressway in the Royal Docks, the initiative supports young entrepreneurs with free workspace and mentorship for six months.

“A lot of younger locals won’t have seen the building without its hoarding, let alone stepped inside,” said Joanna Lee, managing director at General People. “We’re looking forward to working closely with the community board and seeing the spaces brought to life by a new generation.”

Frederic Schwass, chief development officer at General Projects also added: “We approached this project with a vision for developing a new blueprint for bringing at-risk municipal landmarks back to life. Restored to its former glory, Walworth Town Hall has been given back to a new generation with an exciting new purpose, made viable and fit for modern standards.”

“It was vital to us that the building’s legacy was revealed rather than erased, while striking a careful balance between celebrating its inherited state and adapting it to modern use.”

“Elephant and Castle is fast becoming a bustling new town centre for London, and Walworth Town Hall functions as a bridge between the area’s authentic heritage and its new future. Driven by a collaborative process, and tailor-made for small businesses to create, inspire and thrive, the reimagined Walworth Town Hall lays the groundwork for a new creative community to grow in this local destination.”

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