Exciting plans for the Fairfield Halls and College Green have been unveiled as part of Croydon Council’s ambitious vision of turning Croydon into one of London’s leading cultural and educational destinations.
A detailed planning application was this week submitted for the £750million regeneration project, designed to revitalise Fairfield Halls and create a new purpose-built Croydon College at the heart of a vibrant arts and educational quarter.
The proposals follow the announcement of a deal between the council and Fairfield (Croydon) Ltd which will see the venue close for two years on July 15.
Iconic: Plans for a refurbished Fairfield Halls at the heart of Croydon’s Cultural Quarter
This will allow for the £30m transformation of the ageing Fairfield Halls into a spectacular arts and cultural centre, which will include refurbishment of the entire venue from public spaces, restaurants and bars through to heating and lighting and back stage areas that will mean hugely improved facilities for visiting acts.
Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes, regeneration and planning, said: “These are exciting times for the borough. Our ambitious plans outline our vision to transform Croydon into one of London’s leading cultural and educational destinations and at the same time allow us to create hundreds of new affordable homes.
“As well as creating a new cultural offer, the next few years will see unprecedented growth and regeneration across the whole of borough, transforming Croydon for the better for everyone who lives and works here.”
Technical improvements will open the way for more contemporary productions to be staged and fresh experiences for audiences.
The venue will also gain new bar areas, a roof-top seating and dining space, with its outside reconfigured with improved integration into the surrounding public areas, which will be landscaped, with spaces for public art, cafés and shops.
Art-lovers will also find 2,000 square metres of gallery space in a brand new underground venue that will offer opportunities for large-scale contemporary exhibitions to be displayed.
Croydon College will move to a brand new purpose-built educational complex ensuring that it can offer students the benefits of a state-of-the-art learning environment. The college will continue to operate from its existing premises until construction is completed.
The wider regeneration, which takes place over three phases, could see more than 2,000 new homes, with a significant number of those being affordable, and major improvements along George Street, with new offices and shops planned and proposals to make pedestrian-friendly, step-free through routes from East Croydon into town and across the borough.
Councillor Timothy Godfrey, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said: “These plans lie at the heart of our cultural ambitions for Croydon. Transforming College Green, building a new state-of-the-art college and creating a contemporary Fairfield will play a huge part in the borough’s revival as a major centre for arts, culture and entertainment, rivalling London’s best.”
The design team for the regenerated site includes Rick Mather Architects, who were involved in the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall, local consultants Matt MacDonald and planning practitioners Turley.
REGENERATION PROGRAMME
Phase one: Modernisation of Fairfield Halls; new college facility; new homes on council-owned land; new and enhanced public realm
Phase two: New homes on former Croydon College site; commercial development; residential on George Street and College Road
Phase three: Final residential stage