Shoreditch Campus gains approval from Hackney Council

Hackney Council has approved plans for a major mixed-use development in Shoreditch, East London, led by creative real estate firm General Projects. The scheme, designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), will redevelop a cluster of outdated buildings and vacant land into a new urban campus catering to the creative and tech sectors.

The project, known as Singer Studios, spans six existing buildings and includes the construction of three new structures. Once complete, the development will offer 70,000 square feet of sustainable office space, a 202-key long-stay studio hotel, 12 residential apartments, and several retail units aimed at local independent businesses.

A key feature of the project is its focus on environmental performance. The office element will be constructed using cross-laminated timber and is targeting BREEAM Outstanding certification and net-zero carbon operation. General Projects said the development aligns with its commitment to sustainable design and responsible construction practices.

Public access is also central to the scheme. The design will open up currently inaccessible land by introducing four new pedestrian entrances that restore historic routes connecting Great Eastern Street, Tabernacle Street, and Singer Street. At the heart of the site, a landscaped courtyard will provide public space featuring retail frontages, public art installations, and areas for local markets.

Significant restoration work is planned for a terrace of Victorian buildings on the site, integrating them into the broader development while preserving their historic character.

Frederic Schwass, Chief Development Officer at General Projects, said the project aims to "transform a deteriorating plot into a new destination fit for the area’s already thriving industry," and serve as a landmark development that complements Shoreditch's creative identity.

Philip Turner, Director at AHMM, added that the mix of buildings and uses has been designed to respond to the area's varied architectural context, from the warehouses of south Shoreditch to the formal layout of Tabernacle Square.

Construction timelines have not yet been confirmed, but the project is expected to be a significant addition to the ongoing regeneration of the Shoreditch and Old Street area.