Connecting Hoxton Design Consultation - PACKAGE 1 – Arden Estate Community Hall - Hackney Council

PACKAGE 1 – Arden Estate Community Hall

Objective: Cherishing and supporting Hoxton’s young and old

We’re looking at ways to improve the community hall so it works better for local events and services. We want to improve connections from the hall to the nearby Purcell Gardens to create a more welcoming facility and usable green space that benefits the whole community.

The redevelopment is being shaped together with the North and South Arden Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), who manage the hall on behalf of the community. A management plan and business case will be needed to secure funding.

From earlier engagement with residents, hall users and the TMO, we have heard that:

The hall should feel more connected to Purcell Gardens.
The mural is important and needs protecting, potentially through a curtain or other methods.
Lighting, AV equipment (such as projector and sound) and the stage need improving.
The street-facing side of the building feels cluttered because of utility cabinets.
Pavements should be widened for better accessibility.
The hall must remain flexible and able to host different types of activities.
Window frames are rotting and the building is poorly insulated – it needs thermal upgrades and new windows.
Explore if a small, usable outdoor space would be welcomed.
The kitchen is poor quality – there is interest in a new kitchen that could support community cooking.
The entrance should feel more inviting and public.
Anti-social behaviour at late-night hires needs addressing.
More storage is needed for equipment.
Hiring costs should be affordable for local residents.
More daytime activities are wanted, especially for young people and older residents.

Potential Strategies for Arden Hall

Based on what we’ve heard so far, we are exploring two possible approaches to improving the building:

Strategy 1: Single-storey side extensions

Illustration showing single-storey side extensions

Strategy 2: Adding a new storey on top

Illustration showing proposed new storey

Can’t see it? Download the drawing as a PDF.

Future uses for Arden Hall

Residents have told us that Arden Hall should:

Continue supporting existing community activities like the Tuesday Seniors’ Club and Thursday dance sessions.
Remain a place where the TMO and residents can meet.
The hall should continue to be for hire for residents – don’t make it too expensive.
Reduce late-night noise and antisocial behaviour from party hires.
Offer more daytime activities for young people and older residents.

Local charity Shoreditch Trust has expressed interest in providing services at Arden Hall, such as lunch clubs, activities for stroke survivors, community cooking sessions and mother-and-baby groups. They are working with the TMO to explore dedicated opening times and how new weekly activities could be delivered.

1. What is your first impression of the proposed design for Arden Estate Community Hall?

Very positive Somewhat positive Neither positive nor negative Somewhat negative Very negative

2. Which potential strategy for the building do you prefer?

Strategy 1: Single storey side extensions (Includes community kitchen and storeroom(s), estimated build costs within budget) Strategy 2: Add a storey on top (Includes two separate spaces to hire, but estimated build costs may be too high)

Please tell us the reason for your choice

3. What features of the potential strategies do you like?

4. What features of the potential strategies do you dislike?

5. What changes to the hall do you think are most important?

6. Is there anything you would improve?

7. What additional activities would you like to see at Arden Hall?

8. Please tell us your feedback on a potential collaboration between your TMO and other organisations such as the Shoreditch Trust