Assemble Transforms Historic Bromley Hall into Creative Workspace
London's Grade II*-listed Tudor manor to become a hub for creative and light industrial work.
1Historic Transformation
Assemble, a London-based art and architecture collective, will transform Bromley Hall, a Grade II*-listed early Tudor manor (c. 1485), into a creative workspace. The project includes two additional buildings - the Old Poplar Library (1904-5) and a RedBox container structure. This marks Assemble's largest workspace to date, initially adding 14,000 sq ft with plans to double capacity. The 25-year lease includes an option to purchase, securing long-term creative industry stability in London where 30% of industrial space may disappear by 2041.
2Assemble's Track Record
Since founding in 2010, Assemble has developed five UK workspaces including Sugarhouse Studios (2011) and Leaside Yard. Their model combines space provision with ecological and social engagement, supporting unconventional practices like community sauna builders and artisanal food suppliers. The collective won the 2015 Turner Prize for their Granby Workshop project, demonstrating their innovative approach to community-driven architecture. Their workspaces specifically accommodate loud, messy creative processes often excluded from conventional rentals.
3Site's Rich History
Bromley Hall's origins trace to 1255, serving diverse roles from Henry VIII's mistress's residence to a Civil War gunpowder factory. Most recently it functioned as a pediatric hospital and calico printing works. The 15th-century manor represents London's layered history - a quality Assemble intentionally preserves through adaptive reuse. Their portfolio includes similar heritage projects like the Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art (2018) and ten retrofitted Victorian villas in Oxford, always prioritizing local narratives and community agency.
4Three-Phase Development
Phase 1 (2026-29) will see basic capital works and initial tenants moving in, focusing on communal spaces like the Blount Room and shared kitchen. Phase 2 (2029-32) involves property purchase and major construction including a new link building. Final phase (2032+) completes development for full tenancy and public programming. This staggered approach allows concept testing and fundraising - £2.5M is needed for purchase alone. The timeline ensures careful integration of modern workspace needs within historic fabric.
5Creative Economy Impact
Assemble's model provides rare long-term security for creative businesses through below-market rents (averaging £15/sqft) and 5+ year leases. Their Brixton Fabric Floor textile studio shows how specialized spaces foster craft ecosystems. At Workshop East CIC, 87% of tenants report increased business stability. Bromley Hall will similarly support makers through shared equipment, commissions network, and retail opportunities - crucial as London loses affordable workspace at alarming rates.
6Community Engagement Strategy
Beyond workspace, Assemble plans exhibitions, workshops and public access programs celebrating the site's heritage. Their approach combines physical refurbishment with social infrastructure - at Leaside Yard, 40% of events involve local residents. The collective will relocate their headquarters to Bromley Hall, embedding staff as 'long-term stewards'. This deep community integration distinguishes Assemble from commercial developers, creating cultural value beyond square footage.
7Architectural Challenges
Transforming a 500-year-old listed building requires innovative solutions. The manor's timber frame needs seismic upgrades while preserving historic fabric. The team must integrate modern HVAC and accessibility features without compromising Tudor character. Assemble's experience with Goldsmiths CCA - where they converted Victorian baths into gallery space - informs their sensitive material approach. The container building offers contrast, allowing experimental construction methods impossible in the heritage structures.
8Industry Implications
This project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can address London's dual crises of disappearing industrial space and unaffordable creative studios. Assemble's nonprofit model (all profits reinvested) offers an alternative to speculative development. With 62% of UK makers reporting workspace insecurity, Bromley Hall's 25-year tenure provides rare stability. The project could inspire similar heritage-led regeneration, proving historic buildings can fuel contemporary creative economies when managed creatively.