Battersea Arts Centre

• Theatre ID
  2751
• Built / Converted
  —
• Dates of use
  • 1974: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Arts Centre
• Address
  Lavender Hill, Wandsworth, London, SW11 5TN, England
• Website
  • http://www.bac.org.uk

Details

Mountford's Battersea Municipal Buildings and Town Hall opened in 1893, an architectural gem in the municipality. Large, detached building leading through a corridor with ornate glass dome to large assembly rooms at rear. The main façe is in free classical style, red brick with stone dressings and high pantiled roof; Ionic Columns to porch; relief above depicting the female figures of Authority and Relaxation, and above this the Battersea Coat-of-Arms supported by Prudence and Justice. The interior is modern Renaissance, with elaborate mosaic floors throughout. The entrance foyer leads to a main staircase of white Sicilian marble. The main house is in the former Council Chamber on the first floor. This is now a 'black box', with retractable and rostra seating to ensure maximum flexibility. Ancillary rooms are used for other arts and exhibitions, cafénd bar areas. The former assembly rooms are run separately, catering for weddings and functions.

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• Events
  • 1974 Use: continuing
  • 1893 Design/Construction: as town hall
    • Edward W Mountford - Architect
  • 1974 - 0 Alteration: converted to arts centre (architect unknown).
  • 1997 Alteration: improvements
    • Levitt Bernstein - Architect
  • Owner/Management: Local Authority, administered by a Trust
• Capacities
  • Current: Main house 150
• Listings
  • Grade II*
• Stage type
  • Adaptable space