The Albany has today announced plans to renew and future-proof its historic home, securing its long-term future as South London’s leading arts centre, in the heart of Deptford. Working in partnership with Stories, Aviva Capital Partners and double Sterling prize winning architects Witherford Watson Mann, the Albany will bring forward the upgrades to the building, supported by the creation of new student homes for local arts students on part of the site to help fund its revitalisation, in partnership with Trinity Laban.
For more than 130 years, the Albany has been part of everyday life in Deptford, evolving from its origins as the Albany Institute – a community and cultural hub founded in 1899 to improve local lives – into South East London’s leading arts centre in the heart of the town.
While the Albany serves the community as Lewisham’s anchor cultural organisation, the building itself is under growing pressure. Rising costs, ageing infrastructure and outdated systems are making it harder to maintain it as an affordable, accessible and environmentally sustainable place where people come to experience performances and connect through culture.
Investment is now needed to ensure the building remains affordable, accessible and fit for future generations. The partnership is expected to unlock half the total costs towards the renewal of this piece of Deptford’s community infrastructure.
Alongside plans to renew the Albany building itself, the Albany and Stories are also in discussions with Trinity Laban, which has identified a strategic need for additional accommodation in the local area for its students. These homes would be designed to support the long-term sustainability of the arts centre, while helping to reduce pressure on existing local housing.
Investment generated through the proposed student homes will be reinvested directly into the Albany building itself, to improve access, upgrade facilities, reduce the building’s carbon footprint and create more flexible, reliable spaces for community use.
Over the coming months, the Albany will work with local residents, artists, community groups and neighbours to shape how these changes take form in the building itself. Through events and online engagement, people will be able to feed into the design priorities and help guide the next stage of proposals, with a commitment to openness and clarity about what is fixed and what is still to be shaped.
Further details about the proposals and opportunities to get involved will be shared as the consultation progresses.
Mimi Findlay, Co-Chief Executive of the Albany said:
“The Albany is built for and by the people of Deptford. The Albany doesn’t reach into ‘diverse communities’ from the outside – it grows from them. Around 44% of our audiences identify as Black or Global Majority, and 43% of our staff do too, making this one of the most representative cultural spaces in the UK. That reflects Deptford as it really is, and it’s something we’re deeply proud of.
This project is about protecting a place that is truly made from Deptford – renewing the building so it continues to reflect the people who use it, work in it and shape its future. If we don’t act now, we risk further deterioration of vital spaces that support creativity, connection and opportunity across the borough.”
Richard Meier, Co-Founder and CEO of Stories, said:
“The Albany is an extraordinary institution with a unique place in the heart of Deptford. Stories is excited to be partnering with the team on a proposal that protects what makes the Albany so special, unlocks investment for its future, and helps ensure it continues to flourish for generations to come.”
Professor Anthony Brown, Principal of Trinity Laban, said:
Student accommodation is central to strategic plans for Trinity Laban to support the growing number of students who need high quality and affordable accommodation. The Albany’s development, together with Trinity Laban’s plans to develop new accommodation based on our site at the Laban Building, will enable us to secure this vital provision and, fundamentally, to reduce pressure on the local private rented sector.
Alan Robertson, CEO, Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network said:
“The Albany is an essential community resource – bringing people together in a welcoming space. But the building clearly needs some love. We support the need for change and are excited that the community can be involved from the very start.”
Over the coming months, the Albany will work with local residents, artists, community groups and neighbours to feed into the design priorities and help guide the next stage of proposals, with a commitment to openness and clarity about what is fixed and what is still to be shaped.
Public consultation will begin on 15th July 2026, with a programme of drop-in sessions, workshops, and online engagement. Full details of how to take part are available at https://www.thealbany.org.uk/about-us/transforming-the-albany
