Hackney Downs Studios to offer 40 new creative workspaces in 2020

Eat Work Art is expanding its Hackney Downs Studios site to offer new design led studios to London’s burgeoning creative sector.

The first ten studios will be available to rent by March 2020, with a further twenty in the large Hangar space completed by 2020. The final phase, including the development of a brand new purpose built space and conversion of several lobby studios is scheduled for completion within 18 months. Studios range from 175 to 1185 square feet.

Part of an ongoing project to extend and improve Hackney Downs Studios, this development will see the capacity at Hackney Downs Studios grow by 15%. Previous development earlier this year included extensive refurbishments to bar, restaurant and retail space, downmarket_.

The first ten studios will occupy a part of the site called The Theatre, named after the previous residents - acclaimed theatre company Hackney Showroom. The workspaces, split across two levels, have been designed to celebrate the original materials and features of the space including restored concrete floors and high ceilings. All ten studios will enjoy plentiful natural light from floor to ceiling glazing and skylights.

With the Greater London Authority predicting the loss or closure of 17% of artist workspaces in London in the next five years as more warehouses and factories are converted into residential spaces, the timely development of the site meets increasing demand for suitable office and studio space for London’s creative community.

Eat Work Art Founder and Director Leo Lawson-O’Neil comments on the expansion:

“We’ve noticed a sharp rise in the past six months of enquiries for large studio space equipped for sophisticated creative businesses. The departure of a long term theatre resident earlier this year presented us with a great opportunity to inject a fresh sense of energy back into a really quite cavernous building, so we decided to develop the space into new studios.

Since taking on the old print works in May 2015, we’ve also had long term ambitions to convert the large Hangar space on site into studios. We’re excited to announce that development of the site is now underway, with an additional thirty studios available in 2020.”

Find out more about The Theatre.