Commercial Developers

Local authorities may insist on the provision of commercial space or the continuation of employment use as part of a new development. Section 106 agreements may impose restrictions or demands which limit the impact on, or benefit the immediate area and community.

Acme has a waiting list of over 700 artists looking for affordable studios in London, which means we can guarantee 100 per cent occupancy and activity from day one. Studios are occupied by self-employed artists, often living or working in the local area. Artists can meet section 106 requirements to provide employment use and community benefit and, at the same time, offer a ready-made creative community as part of the development.

The Galleria

In 2006, Barratt Homes and Acme Studios opened the Galleria, a mixed-use development of apartments for sale, affordable apartments and artists’ studios. This highly successful, award-winning partnership shows first-hand the benefits that involving Acme in a project can bring.

Barratt Homes saw the involvement of Acme as a partner as a positive experience. The development was rebranded from ‘Castle House’ to ‘The Galleria’ and the thought of living alongside practising artists instead of empty shops was a major factor for buyers. This ground-breaking development received an award in the Best Development category at the 2006 What House? Awards. For more information on this development, see the 'Commercial Developers Case Study' in Further Reading.

Lesney Matchbox Toys Factory

Acme is currently working with Telford Homes on a landmark mixed-use development in the London Borough of Hackney. Located on the site of the former Lesney Matchbox Toys Factory in Homerton, E9, the development comprises 49 purpose-built artists’ studio, 209 residential units which will become available for sale or as social housing and commercial space for community, office and retail use. There will also be improved access to the River Lee Navigation with moorings for residential and commercial boats. The development is less than 200 metres from the London Olympic Games 2012 International Broadcast Centre which will become a focus for creative industries after the Games.

Telford Homes worked closely with Acme throughout the planning process and quickly understood the needs of artists and the benefits they would bring to the project. Hackney Council fully support the scheme which will see continued employment use on the site and complements plans to promote creative industries in the area. Work has begun on the development with a target completion date of July 2012. For more information visit news.

To discuss how Acme Studios could bring real benefits to your development, contact:

David Panton, Director Property Development
Acme Studios
44 Copperfield Road,
Bow, London, E3 4RR
T 020 8981 6811
F 020 8983 0567
E mail@acme.org.uk