World Famous Guitar Hotspot Given A Facelift
The company behind the redevelopment of Denmark Street, Consolidated Developments has issued a statement outlining its commitment to “preserving and enhancing the musical heritage of Tin Pan Alley.” The firm responded to a recent petition launched to give the 12 Bar Club protected status – a petition it claims was fuelled by ‘misinformation built up on social media’ – by saying it has the full support of existing MI retailers.
It confirmed that existing retailers will be retained as part of the regeneration, with construction being carefully structured so that they can remain open during the works. The statement reads: “Consolidated Developments is committed to preserving and enhancing the rich musical heritage of Tin Pan Alley. The 12 Bar Club and existing music traders are at the heart of the area and keeping them has always been central to our plans. We are in close liaison with local businesses and the Denmark Street Traders Association, which have supported us throughout the development of our plans, which were approved by Camden Council in 2013.
“Not only will all of the existing music businesses be retained, construction work will be carefully phased so that they can stay open and trade throughout development. In addition we are creating a new 800 capacity basement auditorium that will bring back a major venue, missing from the area since the closure of the Astoria.
“Our business is based right next door to this site and we’ve been a part of the Soho community for several decades. We care passionately about the local area and Tin Pan Alley and want to see the area’s fantastic music and cultural scene go from strength to strength.”
The 210,000 sq ft scheme will bring the site next to the new Crossrail station back into use, including the regeneration of Denmark Place, which Consolidated Developments describes as a ‘dirty and neglected back alley’.
Central to the development, is a new urban gallery space, designed to build on the area’s music links over the past 60 years. Award-winning architects Orms designed the scheme, which sits within a Conservation area, and will include the integration of new buildings behind retained facades on St Giles High Street and significant refurbishment of eight Grade II listed buildings on Denmark Street.
A first for the UK, the OuterNet will be launched within the urban gallery, providing flexible venue and exhibition space. With an ever changing programme of events, news, virtual retail opportunities, pop up shops and an ‘ongoing information stream’, the gallery will aim to deliver up-to-date streams of content, such as the weather, transport, recommended places to visit, alongside new and up-coming events.
The global brand platform for local and international businesses will be experienced by the 200,000 people expected to travel through the new Crossrail Station every day, who will have direct access to the new gallery space.