Plans to transform the historic Electric Theatre in Peckham into a café, bar, restaurant and mixed work space have been submitted, after locals fought off attempts to build luxury flats, Paige Smith writes…
Bermondsey-based Frame Property hopes to redevelop the four-storey 133 Rye Lane building, next to the Bussey Building, and call it the Market, with a two-storey roof extension.
The firm’s co-founder, Nick Mansour, has already had one planning application denied. The unsuccessful request to convert the building into eleven luxury apartments and a mixture of retail and commercial floor space was made in October.
But strong opposition to the flats-development rallied around a petition, set up by the Bussey Building’s owners, which gained over 15,400 signatures, and the proposal was withdrawn in December.
Campaign leader Mickey Smith, who runs the CLF Art Cafe next door, previously said: “The introduction of residential apartments at 133 Rye Lane is fundamentally wrong and will stop Peckham’s creative and cultural rise. Heralding the beginning of the end of what makes Peckham so special.”
Nick Mansour said: “In response to the feedback which we’ve had and recognising Peckham’s growing and diverse business community, we will be developing plans for an entirely non-residential scheme.”
In hopes to “develop positively over the coming years” with the residents, the new proposed development could see the original Edwardian building refurbished, adapted and extended into a mixed-use scheme of studios and office spaces. Frame Property has estimated that the new plans for SE15 will generate approximately 100 new jobs through the new commercial area and office space.
It also says that the two-storey roof-top extension will be discrete and will significantly enhance the Rye Lane Peckham Conservation Area.
Currently, 133 Rye Lane is set over five storeys, with Ash meat and fish shop on the ground floor and a disused nursery above.