Facelift in Store for Fulham's Imperial Studios
Good news for neighbours as demolition plans abandoned
Imperial Studios in Fulham as it is now
May 15, 2023
Fulham’s dilapidated Imperial Studios, at the northern end of Imperial Road, are to be given a much-needed facelift.
The studios, which have been on the site at 3 - 9 Imperial Road since the 1930s, are one of the few remaining premises in SW6 providing industrial spaces to small businesses. Over the years the 16 studios have been occupied by dozens of local firms, including coffee workshops, antique dealers, workspace users and food delivery and handyman services.
In 2018 they hit the headlines when one of the occupiers, florist Philippa Craddock designed the floral decorations for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in St George's Chapel in Windsor.
More recently, while still mostly occupied, the studios have become visibly run down and owner AG Bloom has now applied to Hammersmith & Fulham Council to give the building that it describes as a “light refurbishment”.
The application, ref 2023/00960/FUL is for:
External refurbishment of site comprising raising of existing roof, façade improvements, partial repositioning of refuse areas, installation of solar panels, the installation of cycle parking spaces, landscaping and associated works.
Aerial view of Imperial Studios
These improvements, which the company says are intended to make the premise more attractive to existing and prospective tenants, include installing 290 solar panels on the roof, repainting the exterior in sapphire blue and restoring the iconic central sign.
The plans are good news for neighbours, particularly those in Imperial Square directly behind the studios. In 2021, planning permission was granted for the then owners, Stonehaven Ltd to demolish the studios and replace them with a new four storey office building, despite many objections.
Visualisation from the applicant of the refurbished Imperial Studios
In January 2022, however, the studios were sold for £19.1 million to AG Bloom LML BV, a joint venture between Angelo Gordon and Bloom Developments.
Bloom Developments says its aim is to to transform under-utilised real estate in central London to “ultra-urban” warehousing. The company adds: “ Focusing on London’s inner city, our high spec warehouses bring together diverse communities of like-minded businesses. Creating new ecosystems where everybody flourishes and blooms under the same roof.“
Visualisation of the abandoned offices which were to replace Imperial Studios. Picture: Stonehaven Ltd
If the council grants permission, “Bloom Fulham” will become one of the venture's six warehouses across London when the refurbishment is complete in late 2023.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We’ve always done that and won’t be changing, in fact we’d like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we’d be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you’d like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |