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Hornsey Town Hall is one of north London’s most storied venues. Over the years the Crouch End venue has hosted the likes of Queen, Electric Light Orchestra and Dexys Midnight Runners. Yes, that’s right, ‘Come on Eileen’ really did echo through the halls of this iconic assembly hall, which was designed by New Zealand architect Reginald Uren in 1935 and is one of the earliest examples of British modernism.
Nearly a century after it first opened, in recent years Hornsey Town Hall has been in need of some TLC – and thanks to a £29 million deal from the Far East Consortium (FEC) in 2017, the venue has received just that.
After closing for a major refurb all the way back in 2019, on December 6 the venue finally reopened its doors to the public. And it’s good news for culture vultures. The Grade II-listed landmark has been transformed into a full-blown arts centre. Think live music, theatre, comedy, cinema, food, drink and festivals – all under one very stylish roof.
So, what’s on at Hornsey Town Hall? While no official schedules have been released yet, organisers promise a year-round calendar packed with everything from world-class theatre to concerts and dance shows. There’ll also be a specially curated cinema programme showcasing contemporary and classic films from around the globe, plus live-streamed ballet and opera.
If the arts aren’t your thing and you’re a firm foodie instead, worry not – HTH has stuff for you too. The revamped building will also be home to restaurants and a rooftop bar, set to open in 2026. In the meantime, a café has opened for your coffee and cake fix.
In the space outside the venue, Town Hall Square will host festivals and events throughout the year, including the highly anticipated Crouch End Festival, usually held in June. Expect food stalls, live music and open-air cinema.
Former civic spaces inside the building have also been reimagined. The Council Chamber will host intimate gigs and performances, while other rooms will be available for community use and private hire. Dao by Dorsett, the venue’s new aparthotel, has opened on-site, featuring studios, suites and 68 serviced apartments.
The redevelopment was led by Make Architects, under director Katy Ghahremani. She said: ‘Hornsey Town Hall has been a long-running project at Make. Local public consultation was an important part of defining the project, ensuring we could maintain the building’s civic purpose for the modern era while also honouring Reginald Uren’s original architecture.
‘In some ways he made that easy for us, as the bones of the building were so well designed in the first place. It has been a joy to bring his vision back to life.’
Hornsey Town Hall, The Broadway, N8 9JJ.
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