Tower Hamlets Town Hall
Tower Hamlets Town Hall
The Whitechapel Town Hall, now housed in the historic Royal London Hospital building, boasts a rich legacy. Initially opened in 1757, this facility served as a hospital for over two centuries, caring for generations of East London residents. Renowned for its neoclassical architecture, designed by Boulton Mainwaring, the hospital saw further enhancements by Charles Barry.
In recent years, the building has undergone a remarkable transformation. In 2015, Tower Hamlets Council acquired the former hospital and repurposed it into the new Town Hall, which officially opened in March 2023. This project sought to maintain the building’s historical character while modernising it for public use. The renovation preserved the original façade and introduced new structures surrounding a public square.
The area around the new town hall has experienced significant improvements as part of broader regeneration efforts in Whitechapel. Initiatives like the Whitechapel Road Improvement Programme and the development of new public spaces have been implemented, including integrating external tree planting and green areas to enrich the urban landscape and provide more greenery for the community.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
The Whitechapel Town Hall, now housed in the historic Royal London Hospital building, boasts a rich legacy. Initially opened in 1757, this facility served as a hospital for over two centuries, caring for generations of East London residents. Renowned for its neoclassical architecture, designed by Boulton Mainwaring, the hospital saw further enhancements by Charles Barry.
In recent years, the building has undergone a remarkable transformation. In 2015, Tower Hamlets Council acquired the former hospital and repurposed it into the new Town Hall, which officially opened in March 2023. This project sought to maintain the building’s historical character while modernising it for public use. The renovation preserved the original façade and introduced new structures surrounding a public square.
The area around the new town hall has experienced significant improvements as part of broader regeneration efforts in Whitechapel. Initiatives like the Whitechapel Road Improvement Programme and the development of new public spaces have been implemented, including integrating external tree planting and green areas to enrich the urban landscape and provide more greenery for the community.
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
Project
Location
Contractor
Landscape Architect
The building looks fantastic and is a focal point for Whitechapel Road. Its impressive façade is improving the look and feel of the area, and I've seen first-hand how our staff are also benefitting from the location and the high-quality environment.”
Designed by AHMM, with planning by Gerald Eve, cost consultant Turner and Townshend, and landscape architecture (delivery) by Levitt Bernstein and Davis Landscape Architecture, the new Town Hall offers over 1,500 flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, and welfare facilities. The former hospital’s iconic façade has been restored, featuring a new public entrance that enhances accessibility and fosters community engagement.
The ground floor is dedicated to public use, creating an inviting atmosphere where visitors can easily access council services, including the council chamber, shared meeting areas and a café.
Main Contractor Bouygues UK, committed to protecting heritage and the environment throughout construction, partnered with GreenBlue Urban by integrating innovative solutions for five newly planted trees and a HydroPlanter flex rain garden. These solutions utilised the RootSpace pavement soil cell, RootRain ArborVents, irrigation, and soil to promote healthy growth and maturity.
The building looks fantastic and is a focal point for Whitechapel Road. Its impressive façade is improving the look and feel of the area, and I've seen first-hand how our staff are also benefitting from the location and the high-quality environment.”
Designed by AHMM, with planning by Gerald Eve, cost consultant Turner and Townshend, and landscape architecture (delivery) by Levitt Bernstein and Davis Landscape Architecture, the new Town Hall offers over 1,500 flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, and welfare facilities. The former hospital’s iconic façade has been restored, featuring a new public entrance that enhances accessibility and fosters community engagement.
The ground floor is dedicated to public use, creating an inviting atmosphere where visitors can easily access council services, including the council chamber, shared meeting areas and a café.
Main Contractor Bouygues UK, committed to protecting heritage and the environment throughout construction, partnered with GreenBlue Urban by integrating innovative solutions for five newly planted trees and a HydroPlanter flex rain garden. These solutions utilised the RootSpace pavement soil cell, RootRain ArborVents, irrigation, and soil to promote healthy growth and maturity.
Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, the Town Hall features optimised water consumption, renewable energy sources, and circular economy practices to minimise waste. Along with tree planting, a brown roof will enhance biodiversity, benefiting users and passersby by improving air quality and creating a greener urban environment. Additional sustainable features include 240 bicycle spaces, solar PV panels, an air-source heat pump, and a rainwater harvesting system, all contributing to a vibrant and eco-friendly community space.
Having recently won a Civic Trust and a Special Award for Reuse and Adaptation, witnessing how the combination of historical preservation and contemporary development transforms Whitechapel is inspiring!
Achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, the Town Hall features optimised water consumption, renewable energy sources, and circular economy practices to minimise waste. Along with tree planting, a brown roof will enhance biodiversity, benefiting users and passersby by improving air quality and creating a greener urban environment. Additional sustainable features include 240 bicycle spaces, solar PV panels, an air-source heat pump, and a rainwater harvesting system, all contributing to a vibrant and eco-friendly community space.
Having recently won a Civic Trust and a Special Award for Reuse and Adaptation, witnessing how the combination of historical preservation and contemporary development transforms Whitechapel is inspiring!
