The Grade II-listed Bromley Old Town Hall was built in 1907, with additions in 1939, and served as a hub for the local community until falling vacant and into disrepair in 2007. In 2009, it was sadly added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register, which identifies sites that are most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Following acquisition by Castleforge, the private equity real estate investment firm which owns and operates Clockwise, the building was sensitively restored to it’s former glory, led by Cartwright Pickard Architects. Reopening earlier this year, we are delighted to be the largest of occupier of the newly developed space, sitting alongside Brama, a 23-bedroom hotel and Dorothy and Marshall, an all-day dining restaurant.
With the restorations now fully complete, we’re delighted that Bromley Old Town Hall has officially been taken off the Heritage at Risk Register. Historic England highlighted the sensitive restorations and heritage features that have been retained and restored including the art deco fluted marble columns, stained-glass windows and stairways from the 1930s.
Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Projects Officer, Verena McCaig, said in a letter to Castleforge:
“It is wonderful that the historic fabric of the former Town Hall has been conserved. We are pleased that the building has been crafted into spaces that reflect the character of the building and that customers can appreciate using. We would like to congratulate all involved.”
Restoring old buildings falls directly within our Positive Impact Strategy, specifically our circular economy goals, as we continue to refurbish and add value to existing buildings. With the built environment sector being a large consumer of materials, we believe that buildings should be refurbished rather than demolished wherever possible and this is an excellent example of what can be achieved with this mindset.
“Embarking on this transformative journey with Bromley Old Town Hall, we are thrilled to witness its removal from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. As stewards of history, we see this not just as a restoration but as a revival, an earnest commitment to breathe new life into the heart of Bromley. With meticulous dedication, Brama and Clockwise are ushering the Town Hall back to its former glory, not merely as a structure, but as a vibrant hub for the community.” – Alexandra Livesey