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Fancy getting your hands on a 200-year-old ballroom-turned-artillery-museum-turned-boxing-ring? Well, you’re in luck, because the Rotunda in Woolwich Common has been listed on Rightmove. No, we’re not joking, the Greenwich landmark, currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, is actually up for grabs.
The Grade II listed building was designed in 1814 by legendary British architect John Nash, who also designed Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch and Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. Ok, that’s one impressive CV.
The Rotunda was originally a temporary structure built in Westminster to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat. In 1819 it was moved to its current location on Woolwich Common for use as a museum by the Royal Artillery, which only closed in 1999 – a staggering 180 years later. Most recently, the bell-tent-shaped ballroom has held a boxing gym, but it’s been on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register since 2007, in dire need of some TLC.
Greenwich Council undertook a series of repairs in 2023, intended to prevent the building’s collapse, but it’s been empty since then.
Now, the building could get a new life. In March, The Rotunda Trust was formed to oversee its conservation. The charity, which will hold a secure long-term interest in the building, is now looking for a commercial partner to operate it, protecting ‘the heritage asset in perpetuity while allowing a sustainable commercial use’, the trust has said.
The trust wants the Rotunda restored so it can host live music and theatre, as well as community and commercial events. Fair enough, the idea of head banging to your fave band under a 200-year-old lead roof does sound pretty cool. Once it’s been given a much-needed glow up, the building will also be open to visitors for the first time in more than a quarter of a century .
‘The Rotunda was built as a place for people to gather. We want to return it to that role,’ the trust said.
As for who could end up owning the local landmark, the charity said it’s ‘open to working with any commercial partner capable of delivering a viable long-term use for the building. If you are a prospective buyer or developer interested in the Rotunda and would value a heritage conservation partner, we would welcome a conversation’.
We don’t know exactly when the Rotunda will be returned to its former glory – this all depends on how quickly they can find a buyer. Repairs are expected to cost between £3.5 million and £6.5 million when they eventually happen, but once complete, we hope to catch you on the dancefloor.
If you could be that buyer (or you fancy a snoop around the Rotunda), check out the Rightmove listing here.
Did you see that one of London’s most historic train stations is being rebuilt with bold new features?
Plus: one of London’s major parks is getting a brand-new garden.
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