London’s Cultural Engine curated by Justine Simons
Justine Simons is Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries. She has played a central role in the cultural transformation of London for two decades. She was awarded an OBE in 2015 by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth for Services to Culture in London.
Culture isn’t just about big institutions and the heritage buildings, culture is also about what happens behind the scenes, often under the radar. Take artist studios, there are more than 10,000 in London, a hive of creative ideas constantly taking shape. Some studios are purpose built, but many have lived previous lives as old offices, propellor factories and even stables, giving them character and a great back story! Artists have been part of London’s story for centuries; they are central to our reputation as a global cultural capital and something the Mayor is committed to protecting. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into these very special spaces.
Located in Deptford, this is the UK’s largest dedicated artist studio building and an ex Propellor Factory. The building retains its robust brick façade and industrial proportions, characteristic of early 20th-century manufacturing architecture. Its large windows, high ceilings, and open-plan interiors make it ideal for creative workspaces. Acme began converting the site in 1990, completing the transformation in four phases by 2010. The result is 132 affordable studios, making it one of the largest studio complexes in London. It’s a unique building and ACME is currently fundraising to purchase the site. It sits within Lewisham’s Creative Enterprise Zone.
2. Alice Billing House
Alice Billing House in Stratford is being restored into affordable studios for 42 creatives. Supported by the Mayor of Newham, it received £3.8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other partners and is already partially open. As part of Grow Studios’ artist-in-residency programme, Newham-based artist, Andy MacManus designed and installed original artwork for the windows of the building, contributing to the creative identity of the newly restored space.
3. Blackhorse Workshop
Blackhorse Workshop in Walthamstow is a brilliant example of how artist and maker spaces can shape the cultural identity of an area. Founded by Assemble in 2014, it’s a fully equipped wood and metal workshop that offers affordable studios, open-access tools, and expert support for creatives of all levels—from hobbyists to professional makers. It’s become a vital part of London’s cultural infrastructure, blending heritage, community engagement, and innovation in one of the city’s fastest-growing areas of regeneration and is a core part of the Blackhorse Lane Creative Enterprise Zone.
4. Cockpit Studios Deptford
Cockpit Studios received £2.3 million from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund and Stride partnership, enabling new studios, education spaces, and a public café and garden in Lewisham’s Creative Enterprise Zone.
5. English National Ballet
This 93,000 sq ft purpose-built facility in Canning Town is a landmark for dance in the UK. Opened in 2019, it houses seven rehearsal studios, a production suite, and community spaces. The Mayor of London invested £1 million through the Good Growth Fund, helping to realise a vision of a “Bauhaus for dance” that integrates professional training with public engagement. The centre supports over 4,000 Londoners through training, apprenticeships, and outreach programmes.
6. Howard Hodgkin Studio
Howard Hodgkin’s studio in Bloomsbury is a powerful symbol of the role artist studios play in central London’s cultural identity. Originally a 19th-century dairy, the space was transformed into a studio in the late 1980s and became a sanctuary for one of Britain’s most celebrated painters. Its layered history—from industrial use to creative refuge—reflects the evolving fabric of the city and the importance of protecting spaces where artists can live and work at the heart of London.
7. Lakeside Centre
The iconic Lakeside Centre known to us from many movies has been transformed into a cultural hub with 40 affordable studios, a nursery, and community spaces. Funded by Arts Council England, Peabody, and the Mayor’s Regeneration Funding.
8. Queensrollahouse
Located in a repurposed 1950s Rolls Royce warehouse in North Acton, Queen’s Rolla House is a unique artist-led initiative by sculptor Henry Krokatsis. The 12,000 sq ft building includes 22 studios, a rooftop exhibition space, and a bar/restaurant. It operates as a not-for-profit social sculpture, using found materials and supporting a diverse community of artists. The project received support from Ealing Council’s Pioneers Fund, and is part of the Mayor’s Creative Enterprise Zone in Old Oak Park Royal.
9. Studio Wayne McGregor
Exciting things are happening for Dance across the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park:
At Studio Wayne McGregor, cutting-edge architecture meets creative ambition. Designed by We Not I, the studio offers vast, light-filled spaces for dance, research, and collaboration. It’s a place where movement meets technology, and where artists from different disciplines come together to experiment and create. The building reflects this spirit—combining industrial scale with thoughtful design to support both the physical and imaginative demands of contemporary dance.
10. Sadler’s Wells East
Just a short walk away, Sadler’s Wells East brings a new kind of performance space to Stratford. Designed by O'Donnell + Tuomey, the building is shaped by the energy of dance—its textured brickwork, angular forms, and open public areas make it feel welcoming and alive. Inside, six studios and a flexible theatre space support everything from rehearsals to public performances, with an open platform in the foyer inviting everyone to take part.
Together, these spaces show how world-class architecture and cultural investment are helping dance thrive in East London—creating places that support not just artistic excellence, but also cultural inclusion and urban regeneration.
11. The Factory
Set across a 5.2-acre site in the Royal Docks, the Factory offers affordable workspace for over 30 creative businesses—from set designers and music producers to furniture makers and breweries. It’s part of a wider strategy to support cultural infrastructure in the borough, backed by the Royal Docks Good Growth Fund, supported by the Mayor and part of London’s only Enterprise Zone. The Factory is an example of how disused industrial sites can be repurposed to support creative communities, offering space not just for making, but for collaboration, events, and public engagement.
12. The Loop
The Loop in Hackney Wick is a brilliant example of how creative workspaces can support sustainable innovation. It’s part of the Hackney Wick and Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone, which aims to protect and grow creative communities in London. The Loop brings together artists, designers, and circular economy businesses in a shared space that’s affordable, collaborative, and rooted in local making. It’s helping creatives stay and thrive in the area, even as development pressures rise.
13. Warehouse Art Collective
A vibrant example of how live/work spaces can nurture creative communities. Set within the Haringey Warehouse District, these converted industrial units have evolved over two decades into homes, studios, and event spaces for artists, performers, and makers. The collective fosters a unique lifestyle where creativity is embedded in daily life—residents collaborate, host exhibitions, and share skills in spaces designed for both living and making. Supported by local policy and investment, including the borough’s Warehouse Living Policy, these spaces are not just homes, but essential platforms for artistic production, cultural exchange, and inclusive urban living.
