Grade II Listed Bromley Town Hall is to be repurposed in a £20m refurbishment and expansion under plans unanimously approved by Bromley Council.

Our proposals for Castleforge Partners will see the building sensitively refurbished and enlarged to provide 73,000 sqft of serviced office space and a 24-bedroom boutique hotel, alongside a publicly accessible courtyard and café/bar.

A combination of 1900s and 1930s architecture, the Town Hall was used by Bromley College until 2007 and has laid vacant ever since. These proposals will bring the heritage asset back into use by knitting the two buildings together in a modern and sensitive manner, improving connectivity and bringing energy performance up to modern standards.

A new high-quality landscaped courtyard lies at the heart of the scheme, designed to foster a collegiate feel and link the buildings into a single, cohesive and connected environment. This includes a landscaped amphitheatre with an integrated ramped level access route to the main entrance.

Some of the most historically significant areas of the building are to be opened up to the public through the creation of a café/bar within the old Court House. The buildings’ vast lofts will also be activated and brought into use for the first time as office space through the integration of conservation roof lights, dormer windows and new lift provision.

“We are delighted to have secured planning for this sensitive project for Castleforge through a shared desire to celebrate the inherent character of the existing listed buildings and enhance their setting.

It is a prime example of how we should be making the most of our town centre heritage assets and transforming them for modern use to support sustainable growth within communities."

James Pickard, Cartwright Pickard

Under Castleforge’s Clockwise co-working brand, office tenants will be able to rent a private office, dedicated desk or choose club membership, a hot-desking model which provides start-ups with access to the benefits and facilities of more established businesses at a lower cost. A members’ lounge is to be created within the former Council Chamber.

A new lightweight first and second-storey extension clad in metal shingle replaces an existing poor-quality extension to provide space for the 24 hotel bedrooms in a way that is sensitive to the historic setting and reduces the load on the existing heritage building below. The hotel will complement Clockwise’s offer and support the local economy through the provision of overnight accommodation.

By supporting many small and medium sized businesses within a single complex, a vibrant and engaging atmosphere will be created. This will be enhanced through opportunities for networking and incidental meetings to take place in the wide variety of flexible internal and external communal spaces.

According to council officers the plans, which have been backed by Historic England and will lead to the removal of the building from the Buildings at Risk Register, will “preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Bromley Town Centre Conservation Area.”

“Castleforge are excited about bringing forward such an important heritage project and securing the future of a vulnerable listed building. The Old Town Hall is a landmark building within the Borough and the restoration of the property represents a fantastic opportunity to cement this building’s position in the area; ensuring that it thrives as hub that can be enjoyed by local residents, the business community and visitors alike.

The introduction of Clockwise, our serviced office business, into the building represents our long term commitment to the area.

By offering a diverse mix of well designed co-working and private spaces Clockwise will be able to accommodate a wide variety of occupier needs by providing workspace that is not only appealing and welcoming for businesses of all sizes but also practical and efficient.”

Henry Webber, Castleforge Partners