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Built in the 1930s, a grand 2700-seat Super Cinema eventually fell into disrepair. Soho Theatre, in search of a new venue, saw an opportunity to transform the space into a 1000-seat theatre—ideal for performers who had outgrown 350-seat venues but weren’t ready for the 2000-seat Hammersmith Apollo. The building’s generous size, strong transport links, and architectural character made it a perfect fit. The vision was to create a vibrant, mid-sized hub for comedy and the arts that remained affordable for both audiences and performers. The result preserved a historic landmark while meeting a real need in London’s cultural landscape. Hailed as the best local theatre with a national profile, it successfully bridged a critical gap in venue sizes across the city.
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The Theatre in Walthamstow is poised to become a key cultural hub, fostering a vibrant arts community and revitalising the area. Its presence will draw visitors from across London, encouraging creative activity in nearby spaces like Hatherley Mews. The theatre will attract artists and performers, supporting a thriving local arts scene. Its location near bars, restaurants, and shared workspaces on Hoe Street will create a natural synergy—boosting local businesses and sparking further investment. As a space for events, workshops, and collaboration, the theatre will help shape a dynamic, inclusive, and creative neighbourhood for all.
The project has taken significant steps to ensure sustainability while preserving a Grade II listed building. The brick and steel portal frame were carefully repaired to maintain structural integrity. Highly efficient sustainable cladding was added to improve thermal performance and reduce energy use. Air source heat pumps now provide eco-friendly heating and cooling, lowering fossil fuel dependence. Photovoltaic panels on the roof power the backstage area, further cutting carbon emissions. These modern systems were integrated sensitively to preserve the building’s historic character. The project targets BREEAM Excellent, is now operational, won a Planning Award in 2018, and is shortlisted for several others.
Rowan Moore, writing for The Observer, praised the transformation of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, describing the restoration of the Grade II-listed 1930s cinema as a “pleasure palace” given new life. He highlighted its vibrant, colorful interior that retains the original Hispano-Moorish style, blending ancient motifs with modern design. Moore noted how the theatre balances historic charm with contemporary elements, creating a space that feels both nostalgic and fresh. He particularly admired the ornate interior, featuring claret, deep orange, bubblegum pink, and gold, likening entering the theatre to stepping into a “lost world” full of magic and romance. As architects collaborating with the client, a defining feature was restoring the original grandeur and drama of the 1930s design. Equally important was preserving the building’s social history, reflecting its evolution through decades as an entertainment palace, music venue, and Bollywood cinema. This respect for its diverse roles and community connection enhances the building’s patina for a new generation. The restoration honors the building’s heritage and the community’s memories, celebrating ongoing engagement. The theatre now stands as a cultural landmark bridging generations, fostering pride and ownership among local people while preserving London’s rich cultural fabric.
Mark Godfrey, Co-Executive Director of Soho Theatre Walthamstow, has expressed his excitement about the new venue's opening. He highlights the significance of the project, stating, "We’re thrilled to be announcing Soho Theatre Walthamstow’s opening and first shows. Decades in the making, this iconic building with a remarkable history is reinvented as a fantastic new venue for the future, supporting culture-led growth and regeneration in London but particularly Walthamstow."
Since its establishment in 2013, Pilbrow&Partners has grown into a studio of over sixty architects and urban planners, known for delivering innovative, thoughtful solutions across a wide range of demanding and diverse project briefs. We have built a reputation for the sensitive refurbishment and reimagining of existing buildings within London’s complex urban fabric. Our work is shaped by collaboration with a diverse network of external partners, enabling pioneering designs grounded in rigorous research and tailored to each client’s needs.
At the heart of our practice lies passion for the city and commitment to creating places that enrich, delight and inspire. We are leaders in low-carbon design, delivering both new builds and refurbishments that integrate structure, services and envelope to passively moderate the external climate. Our in-house environmental analysis tools enable real-time performance evaluation, allowing us to optimise our designs through evidence-led decision-making.
