Greenwich’s Art Deco town hall ‘to become flats’

A 1930s Art Deco building in the centre of Greenwich, is set to become the latest building in London to be converted into housing.

Greenwich Council has confirmed that it has agreed in principle to plans to repurpose the former headquarters of its predecessor, the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich.

The distinctive brick building with its prominent 184ft (56m) tower, now called Meridian House, served as the borough’s home until it was merged with Woolwich in 1965 to form the current Royal Borough of Greenwich.

As part of the proposals, the clock tower’s observation deck, which has been inaccessible for more than 50 years, will be revamped and re-opened to the public at least once a year.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), real estate investment and development group Riverlow submitted plans to redevelop the Grade II listed building in Greenwich High Road in 2022.

The premises have been unoccupied since 2019.

Of the planned 73 build-to-rent residential units, 11 of them would be affordable.

They are split between one-bed and two-bed apartments, with the sizes ranging from those suitable for a single occupant up to those that would fit a family of four.

A council spokesperson said the new homes were “designed to meet local needs, and flexible commercial spaces which can be used for workspace, community facilities or retail.

“With applications of this nature, it’s our mission to enhance the surrounding area for both current and future residents, creating a safe, attractive and vibrant neighbourhood.”

It added, formal planning permission would only be issued once a legal agreement, which secured these community benefits, was finalised.

Meridian House lies adjacent to Borough Hall, an assembly hall that served as a concert venue.

Its performers include rock bands The Who and Squeeze who gave their first performance there in 1975, an event that has since been commemorated with a blue plaque on the side of the building.