West London's Major Civic Campus Development to Begin Opening This Month
The Civic Campus in Hammersmith, a significant redevelopment project on King Street, is set to begin its phased opening later this month, with full completion anticipated by the summer. This flagship scheme, approved by Hammersmith and Fulham Council back in 2019, represents a substantial transformation of the former town hall site into a vibrant mixed-use complex.
A New Quarter for Arts, Culture and Community
Described by the council as "one of Britain's most exciting new arts, cultural, business, government and community quarters," the Civic Campus will deliver an impressive array of amenities. These include new restaurants, rooftop bars, work spaces, a cinema, an art gallery, and a comprehensively refurbished town hall. The development aims to create a dynamic hub where people can live, work, and socialise.
Already completed is a 204-home residential block, with 52 per cent of these dwellings classified as genuinely affordable housing. This achievement aligns with the council's commitment to delivering inclusive growth that benefits all residents of the borough.
Project Delays and Challenges
The journey to completion has not been without its challenges. The project has experienced delays, with the opening coming several years later than initially planned. Council Leader Stephen Cowan has publicly acknowledged various pressures that have contributed to this timeline, including the impacts of Brexit.
Most significantly, progress was severely hampered in 2022 by a serious on-site accident. A subcontractor dropped steel, resulting in serious injuries to two builders. Following this incident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shut down the site to conduct a thorough investigation. Councillor Cowan stated that this event "lost us the time" but emphasised that the schedule is now being made up rapidly.
Financial Considerations and Political Debate
During recent council discussions, Conservative Opposition Leader Councillor Jose Afonso raised concerns about the project's "three-year delay and millions overspent." In response, Councillor Cowan contested this characterisation, describing any overspend as "minimal" and not reaching millions in real terms.
The Labour administration has further argued that the current scheme is being delivered at a "significantly lower cost" than the controversial Hammersmith Town Hall scheme proposed by the previous Conservative administration. An amended motion presented at January's Full Council detailed how a combination of factors – including the 2022 accident, Brexit, the pandemic, and what was termed 'Liz Truss' Fiscal Event' – had contributed to marginally higher costs than originally planned.
Sustainability and Accessibility Features
The Civic Campus has been designed with strong environmental credentials, featuring solar panels and innovative ground source heat pumps to minimise its carbon footprint. The development is also planned as a fully accessible space, co-designed with residents to ensure it meets community needs.
Council staff are expected to begin relocating to the new Civic Campus early in 2026, with a public opening anticipated around March. The phased opening approach means different parts of the complex will become operational at different times throughout the coming months.
This substantial development forms part of Hammersmith and Fulham Council's broader 'Upstream London' vision, aiming to boost the borough's economy while delivering inclusive growth that benefits all residents through improved amenities, cultural offerings, and much-needed affordable housing.
