The Tate Institute, a historic building in Silvertown, East London, that had fallen into dereliction, is being brought back to life by a community group. The building, originally constructed by Henry Tate for workers at the Tate and Lyle sugar factory, is now being restored and repurposed for community use.
From Dereliction to Community Hub
Located in Silvertown, Royal Docks, the Tate Institute served as a central hub for local workers until the early 2000s, when it closed its doors. After years of disrepair, it was squatted by Craftory, an artistic group, in 2016, who cleared the building and attempted to turn it into a community space. Newham Council later took ownership, and a process was opened for organisations to propose community-focused uses.
In 2024, Gee Sinha, founder of Respace projects, took over the site and launched the REinsTATE project. The project aims to transform the building into a community asset, with plans for a community garden, food provision, studios, an event space, a business hub, a sauna, and a cafe.
Community at the Core
Gee's personal experience of homelessness has shaped his vision. After his parents passed away, he became homeless and found support in squats, where he built friendships and found a place to sleep. This drives his commitment to creating a space where people from all backgrounds can come together.
"This building is so unique in playing a fundamental role in the crisis infrastructure. When things go bad, this place reacts," Gee said. "If power goes out at someone's house, they can come here and charge their phone. The building generated no revenue, but it became a place for the local area to come to." He added that there were discussions about demolishing the building, but the community wouldn't allow it.
Repurposing and Restoration
The team, along with volunteers, has worked to repair the ceiling, source materials, and restore the building's events hall. They have reached out to major brands and businesses to repurpose items like desks, wood, paint, chairs, and even a stage, diverting them from landfills. "Our mission was to rebuild a space that could be used by the community, rather than sending stuff to landfills," Gee explained.
Gee also highlights the area's neglect, noting that Silvertown, located on Wyth Street next to London City Airport, has been 'forgotten' compared to its neighbours. "The Elizabeth Line goes through here, but there's no station here. It shows how money flows around these guys but never to them," he said. He aims to bring money into the area by using the venue for multiple purposes and has connected with local food banks and community groups.
Gee has also reached out to Newham Council, and the Mayor visited the project, helping to secure the lease needed to stay. He hopes to appeal to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose 'Pride in Place' mission aims to 'build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower people to take back control of their communities.' Burnham's grandfather worked as a lorry driver for Tate and Lyle, adding a personal connection.
"We are fighting against the system because there's so much red tape to get through to get things off the ground," Gee said. "We need funding, whether it's a donor or from donations, but we need to make sure people know about us." The project hopes to serve as a blueprint for other communities, demonstrating how waste can be recycled and built into something that helps save the planet and communities.
