One of North London's most cherished civic landmarks has triumphantly reopened its doors. Hornsey Town Hall, a Grade II listed Art Deco masterpiece in the heart of Crouch End, is back in public use for the first time in decades following an epic, six-year-long restoration project.
The vast 241,200 sq ft site has been meticulously transformed through a heritage-led collaboration between FEC, Make Architects, Historic England, and Dorsett Hotels. This ambitious effort has successfully revived a building that had sadly fallen into decline, leading to its removal from Historic England's 'Heritage at Risk' register.
A Glimpse Inside the Restored Gem
First completed in 1935, the Town Hall was originally hailed as one of Britain's pioneering modernist municipal buildings. Years of deterioration, however, had cast a shadow over its future.
Following extensive works, its historic interiors have been painstakingly brought back to life. The iconic assembly hall, council chamber, and committee rooms now showcase their original Art Deco splendour. New fittings have been carefully chosen to reflect the 1930s vision of the building's architect, Reginald Uren.
More Than a Restoration: A New Community Hub
The project goes beyond mere preservation, reimagining the Town Hall as a vibrant destination for culture and community. The revived complex now features new public areas, 146 new homes, a Dao by Dorsett aparthotel, and workspaces operated by General Projects.
At the heart of this new chapter is a revived Arts Centre, which will be curated by AND London. It promises a year-round programme of performances, exhibitions, talks, and wellness events, ensuring the building remains a beating heart for local life.
Celebrating a New Beginning
A month-long celebration is underway to mark the grand reopening. Festivities include Christmas on the Green, Hanukkah events, and a Grand Festive Launch on 6 December, featuring markets, jazz, comedy, and workshops.
Nick Poon, Head of Projects at FEC, stated: "Bringing such a culturally and historically significant building back into public use has been a huge privilege… The result is a place that balances history and modern amenity… exactly what this project was all about."
Jacob Loftus, CEO of General Projects, added: "We are proud to have been entrusted with shaping the building’s next chapter… opening this beautiful space to the community so that local groups and creative businesses can enjoy it."
Claire Brady of Historic England praised the achievement, calling it "a shining example of what can be achieved when heritage, design and community come together."
