Current Developments

Acme Studios is committed to developing new affordable studio projects in response to the huge demand from artists and threats to existing provision elsewhere in London.

To support this commitment we were awarded £2 million from Arts Council England's Grants for the arts - capital programme towards our long-term plan to develop more affordable, permanent, high-quality and accessible studios for artists.

The Galleria in Peckham, SE15, was the first project in this programme. Opened in January 2006, this new studio block, designed and built in partnership with Barratt Homes, was established as a ground-breaking 'planning gain' development. The success of this project has encouraged Acme to explore further partnerships with house builders, housing associations and local authorities. In March 2009, Acme opened new studios at Leven Road, a 100 per cent affordable mixed-use project with Swan Housing Group in Poplar, E14.

We have a number of non-residential studio projects currently in development including:

Harrow Road, Brent, NW10

Negotiated by the London Borough of Brent, this major development is a partnership project with Catalyst Housing. Close to Kensal Green Tube station, Harrow Road comprises 123 housing units, two thirds of which will be for rent or shared ownership, the rest for sale, plus 12 ground-floor artists' studios.

The architects are Hester Associates. Construction is underway and the target completion date is March 2010.

High Street Stratford, Newham, E15

Acme's involvement in this large-scale development is the result of a long-term relationship with the London Borough of Newham. The regeneration department of Newham has been looking to replace the loss of our building in Carpenters Road, which was demolished to make way for the Olympic Park. Working with Genesis Housing Group, 15 studios will be provided in a landmark listed building, Warton House, as part of a project involving 655 residential units, a 153 bedroom hotel and over 13,000 square feet of retail and commerical space. The target completion date for the studios is February 2012.

Lesney Matchbox Works, Homerton Road, E9

Developed in partnership with Telford Homes, this major scheme involves the demolition of the existing factory and the redevelopment of the site to provide three blocks ranging in height from between four to fifteen storeys to provide retail, commercial, 49 affordable artists' studios and 209 residential units (40% affordable). The target completion date is July 2012.

Please watch this space for further information about these schemes and other new projects.