Fulham Town Hall to Become Luxury Hotel?

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Council about to appoint agent for sell off

As we predicted in January, Fulham Town Hall looks likely to be converted into a luxury hotel after it goes on sale this weekend.

Hammersmith and Fulham council have confirmed that the town hall, built in 1888 will be  marketed to prospective buyers from Saturday, May 7.

Despite putting it up for sale, the council says it is committed to retaining the Grade II Listed town hall’s heritage and historical identity and has already been working with historic building architects Hawkins Brown, who have drawn up early proposals that could see it transformed into a boutique hotel.

The council adds that these proposals show there may also be the potential to retain the chamber and halls for some public use, and confirms it already received several expressions of interest – including one from a company that is interested in converting the Town Hall into a hotel.

The town hall is one of a number of "under-used" council buildings which are being sold to pay off debts.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, says: " As one of the smallest local authorities in the country, we do not need, and cannot afford, two town halls.

" We want to see the building itself brought back to life as part of the biggest regeneration of the area since the Broadway development. Not only would the upkeep of building no longer be a burden to taxpayers, the proceeds from the sale would help protect key services.

" We are particularly excited that there is scope to retain the chamber and halls for public use and believe that this really is the best possible solution for residents."

The council says that until now, Fulham Town Hall has been home housing officers, cemeteries staff, registrars and parking attendants but makes the claim that the Victorian building's magnificent marble staircases, treble domed vaulted ceilings, carved oak doors and period chandeliers mark it out as perfect for a boutique hotel. All council officer currently working in the building will be relocated elsewhere.

Hawkins Brown have experience of the conversion and refurbishment of many Town Halls in London including that of the Grade II listed Stoke Newington Town Hall which has received several design and conservation awards.  Their other recent work includes the refurbishment of Dagenham Civic Centre and Barking Town Hall and adapting prominent listed buildings throughout London to accommodate new uses.

A formal marketing exercise, led by commercial property consultants, Lambert Smith Hampton is set to begin on Saturday, May 7, with a brochure available for interested parties.

To assist with the sale and potential change of use and conversion of Fulham Town Hall, a special forum is being established, including representatives from the Fulham Society and the H&F Historic Buildings Group.  Prospective purchasers are asked to contact Peter Day on 020 7198 2341 or email pday@lsh.co.uk or James Sharman on 020 7198 2308or jsharman@lsh.co.uk for further information or to signal their interest.

Bidders are asked to express their interest by June 30 and a shortlist of bidders will be selected by the end of July.

May 6, 2011

 

could be converted into a luxury 20 room hotel and wedding venue, if council plans get the go ahead.

According to website Public Property UK Hammersmith and Fulham Council is about to appoint agents Lambert Smith Hampton to sell the 19th-century landmark building, pending a final cabinet decision to be taken in February.

Lambert Smith Hampton is already working on options for the town hall, which include selling it for conversion into a hotel, as well as restaurant or specialist retail uses.

In July, the council announced that the 120 year old Grade II listed town hall was among nine buildings it considered either underused or provided poor value for money, which could be sold to cut debts totalling £133 million.

At the time, the council claimed that the Town Hall could be part of a major regeneration plan for Fulham Town Centre, bringing new business and vitality to the area.

It argued that the building, famous for its historic stained windows, was woefully under-used and required major renovation which it could not afford. Selling the site, said the council, also provided the most likely route to preserving the building and bringing it back to life.

The property website also reports that BNP Paribas Real Estate has been appointed by the council to assess alternative uses for the other sites on the list to be sold, which include them Sands End Community Centre.

January 14, 2011

 

 

May 6, 2011