Plan in for cultural venue at London’s Canada Water scheme
Developer British Land and pension fund AustralianSuper have submitted plans for a major cultural venue at London’s Canada Water development.
The plan will reinstate and create a permanent music venue in one half of the large former Printworks building, the other half will deliver next-generation sustainable workspace and retail, known as The Grand Press.
The designs, led by architects HawkinsBrown, seek to maintain the building’s volume and character while creating a highly sustainable and modern cultural venue.
There are four key new cultural spaces planned at the new Printworks, which is scheduled to reopen in 2026:
Printworks’ world-renowned Press Halls retained. The iconic space will be kept with the Press Halls remaining the focal point of the Printworks’ programme. Live music events, concerts, immersive art exhibitions and corporate events of similar capacity will be hosted here
A brand-new rooftop leisure and cultural space. This new event space – complete with soaring views of London
The Inkwells. A performance space dedicated to immersive exhibitions, multi-disciplinary art shows and more intimate music events
A series of new suites with views of the Press Halls. These will offer versatile spaces for meetings, conferences, events, and corporate hospitality
Emma Cariaga, joint head of Canada Water at British Land, said: “We want to deliver a permanent world-class cultural venue at Printworks that builds on its globally acclaimed legacy.
“Combining the best of the capital’s culture with next-generation workspace at The Grand Press will create an unrivalled experiential destination, which generations will benefit from for years to come.
“Printworks had a tremendous impact on the UK’s cultural landscape, and its popularity over the past six years has demonstrated how important this multi-dimensional venue is to Londoners and visitors from all over the world who were drawn to its cutting-edge programming.”