Arden Estate Community Hall and Purcell Gardens

Overview

This project brings together proposals to refurbish Arden Estate Community Hall and improve the surrounding public spaces, including the connection to Purcell Gardens.

The aim is to create a more welcoming, accessible and flexible community facility that can support a wider range of activities and services. Improvements are also proposed for Purcell Gardens, including new planting, play equipment and landscaping.

Photograph of Arden Estate Community Hall viewed from the corner of Purcell Street and Regan Way. The single-storey brick community hall sits between residential blocks, with paved open space, parked vehicles and surrounding estate buildings visible.Arden Estate Community Hall, viewed from the corner of Purcell Street and Regan Way. The hall sits at the heart of the estate and is surrounded by open paved space that provides opportunities to improve the public realm and create a more welcoming community destination.

Upcoming

Plans are being developed to refurbish Arden Estate Community Hall, improve the surrounding public realm and create a more accessible connection to Purcell Gardens.

Final proposals will be shared with the community, with further opportunities for residents to help shape how the hall will operate.

What is happening

Plans for the community hall are being developed with the North and South Arden Tenant Management Organisation.

The proposals are considering:

  • a full refurbishment and potential extension of the hall
  • increased capacity so the building can support more community services and activities
  • a more welcoming and accessible entrance
  • flexible internal spaces that can support different activities at the same time
  • a new and improved kitchen
  • better storage, soundproofing and audiovisual facilities
  • more energy-efficient building infrastructure
  • improved wayfinding to help people find and enter the hall more easily.

Improvements are also being developed for the surrounding outdoor spaces and nearby Purcell Gardens.

These may include:

  • new play equipment
  • community growing spaces
  • new planting and landscaping
  • more seating and shaded areas
  • improved routes and connections between the hall, Purcell Street and Purcell Gardens
  • changes to make the surrounding public space more accessible and welcoming.

Photograph showing the space behind Arden Estate Community Hall between the hall and Celia House. The image shows a paved area with a wheelchair access ramp, handrails, a bicycle, refuse bins and surrounding residential buildings.The space behind Arden Estate Community Hall, between the hall and Celia House. The area is currently a hard landscaped service and access space that has potential to become a more attractive and better used community environment.

Project timeline

Summer 2025 to early 2026

Consultation took place with estate residents and the wider local community.

2026

Design development is expected to be completed, including further work on the hall, surrounding public spaces and Purcell Gardens.

By 2027

Subject to approvals, funding and a viable business plan, the proposed improvements are expected to be completed.

What we heard from local people

Residents expressed strong support for improving local community facilities and creating flexible indoor and outdoor spaces that can support a wider range of people and activities.

Growing spaces

There was widespread interest in community food growing and in creating a dedicated garden for plants that can be used to produce textile dyes.

Play, seating and shade

A new swing was the most frequently requested addition to the play area.

Residents also asked for more seating, including benches at different heights and of different types to support accessibility, as well as more shaded areas.

Accessibility and appearance

Concerns were raised about the existing steep and narrow ramps and the unwelcoming appearance of the building.

Residents requested a more accessible, level entrance, clearer wayfinding and a building that feels more open and welcoming.

Activities and services

Residents showed strong interest in daytime and community-focused activities, including:

  • drop-in lunches
  • clubs and activities for older residents
  • activities and classes for children with special educational needs
  • a wider range of community events and learning opportunities.

The mural and stage

Views on the existing mural were mixed. Older residents were generally more supportive of retaining it, while some younger residents were less positive.

The stage is valued by the Dance Ups group, although other residents noted that it is often unused and is not currently accessible to wheelchair users.

Building facilities

Residents requested:

  • a larger and better-equipped kitchen
  • improved storage
  • better soundproofing to reduce disturbance to nearby homes
  • updated audiovisual equipment.

How this project responds

The proposals respond by considering a comprehensive refurbishment of the hall alongside improvements to the surrounding outdoor spaces.

Flexible rooms and improved facilities would allow several activities to take place at the same time, helping the hall support a wider mix of services, community groups and users.

A more accessible and welcoming entrance, improved wayfinding and better internal facilities would make the hall easier and more comfortable to use.

Proposals for Purcell Gardens include new planting, community growing, improved play equipment and more seating. These changes would create a greener and more useful outdoor space for residents of different ages.

Improved routes and public realm between the hall and Purcell Gardens would also help connect the building more clearly with the surrounding neighbourhood.

Supporting information

The project is still at the design development stage.

A business plan will be required to demonstrate that the refurbished hall can operate successfully and remain financially sustainable over the longer term.

The final design, programme and scope of works will depend on further design development, funding, approvals and continued work with the North and South Arden TMO and local residents.

Explore the wider theme

This project is part of the Connecting Hoxton theme: Cherishing and Supporting Hoxton’s Young and Old.

View the theme page

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