Shaftesbury Theatre granted redevelopment consent

Bennetts Associates Architects Redevelopment Proposal - increased height of flytower

The Shaftesbury Theatre, which is currently home to dance show Burn The Floor, has been granted planning consent for the redevelopment of the Grade II listed building.

The theatre has had the proposals of Bennetts Associates Architects granted by Camden Council.

The project consists of internal and external alterations to the theatre’s existing stagehouse and flytower, ensuring the long-term viability of the venue to accommodate large-scale, self-produced and touring productions.

Bennetts Associates’ design approach employs distinctive cor-ten steel cladding, which responds to brick and terracotta in both the existing theatre facades and the adjacent King Edward’s Mansions. The height of the proposed flytower corresponds to the height of the mansion blocks, having the effect of completing the Grade II listed city block.

The continuous, faceted form reduces the visual massing of the flytower and creates a series of bays in the façade, which reflect the scale and grain of the adjacent mansion blocks.

James Williams, Chief Executive of the Shaftesbury Theatre, said: “Whilst maintaining the grace and beauty of the Shaftesbury we will now have a contemporary addition that will enhance the facilities of the Theatre giving us the capacity to accommodate the increasing demands of productions. We are thrilled with the benefits that this will bring to our customers, producers and actors visiting and working at the Shaftesbury."

The Shaftesbury Theatre was originally designed by architect Bertie Crewe and opened as New Princes Theatre in 1911.

- by Darren Dalglish