The Museum of London has been given the green light for its new Smithfield Market base. The grade II-listed 1860s market complex has been vacant for over 30 years now, and much of the building has fallen into disrepair in that time. The poultry market, which is still in use, has been earmarked for relocation to Dagenham.
The 22,000 square metre site will soon be the home of a 24-hour cultural destination, occupying the westernmost buildings. The plans have been drawn up by Stanton Williams, Asif Khan and Julian Harrap Architects.
The Museum of London is preparing to haul around 7 million objects across to its new home and vacate its current base on London Wall, at the south-western corner of Barbican. The new Smithfield location will be surrounded by shops, offices, and a gym, in renovated trader units. Planners have described the scheme as an ‘exceptional and world-class example of the sensitive restoration and re-use of historic buildings whilst maximising economic and socially inclusive public access.
They added that the project would have exemplary environmental and sustainability credentials, as the existing building fabric will be reused, alongside the installation of solar panels. However, planners have also acknowledged that harm to the historic fabric of the building is inevitable, as the interiors will be remodelled to accommodate new uses.
The latest design team to land the job budgeted £250 million in 2017, although this is said to have risen to upwards of £300, due to unforeseen circumstances. The existing buildings were found to be in a worse state than first thought, with a large chunk of cash required to bring them into a useable state.
Other architects have been granted permission for a redevelopment of the historic site in the past. Consent was granted in 2008 and 2014, but both schemed were ultimately dismissed by the government.
