City reveals designs for Smithfield Market revamp
The City of London Corporation has unveiled designs for the redevelopment of Smithfield Market.
Designed by Studio Egret West the core theme of the concepts are sustainable food production, preparation and consumption and cover the Grade II* listed East and West Smithfield buildings and the Grade II listed Rotunda.
In addition, the plans include four flexible halls, which would be created through the removal of the cold rooms, canopy and loading bays, which could be used to support the creative industries.
The City of London Corporation has unveiled designs for the redevelopment of Smithfield Market.
Designed by Studio Egret West the core theme of the concepts are sustainable food production, preparation and consumption and cover the Grade II* listed East and West Smithfield buildings and the Grade II listed Rotunda.
In addition, the plans include four flexible halls, which would be created through the removal of the cold rooms, canopy and loading bays, which could be used to support the creative industries.
The corporation said this could include the creation of a multimedia entertainment space for local performances and cultural acts, as well as independent food and drink kiosks.
Other ideas include freestanding units flanking the Grand Avenue, to host food-focused education and training programmes throughout the year, offering opportunities for Londoners of all ages to explore careers in the food industry, and turning the Rotunda into an all-seasons garden experience.
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The corporation is aiming to relocate the current meat market operations at Smithfield to the site of the former Barking Reach Power Station along with Billingsgate and New Spitalfields to create a new wholesale market.
The public consultation on the designs will run until 4 September 2020.
Catherine McGuinness, policy chair at the City of London Corporation, said: “These imaginative early designs showcase how the Smithfield East and West Market buildings and Rotunda could be carefully transformed into an exciting destination that reflects their traditional role in the capital’s food chain while also opening up new cultural and entertainment spaces for public use.”
David West, founding director of Studio Egret West, added: “This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set the direction for the restoration of these much-loved structures, and we believe the principles and interventions we are presenting will deliver the right balance of ambition, opportunity and flexibility for this next chapter in Smithfield’s history.”
To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette
Images courtesy of Studio Egret West and the City of London Corporation
