A former polytechnic building in Kentish Town recently occupied by Pizza Express will be turned into a block of flats with open ground floor space for public use.
Residents belonging to the Kentish Town Neighbourhood Forum (KTNF) have taken issue with some of the proposals to develop the site at the junction of Kentish Town Road and Prince of Wales Road, saying that some alterations are not in keeping with the building’s 1920s character.
They are pleased that the ground floor will be kept as a public space, but remain doubtful it will be turned into a community or art space, despite lobbying.
Caroline Hill, chairman of the KTNF, said: “We don’t want a large supermarket going in there, but small retail units for independent businesses to move into.
“In an ideal world, we would like them to open an art space or something for community use but to be realistic, the developers will want to make as much money as they can.”
The architects, Allies and Morrison, propose the ground floor space will be used as shops, a café or another restaurant.
The height of the building will be extended by two storeys.
The building’s barred windows will be replaced with plain glass, but the KTNF has taken issue with both these alterations.
The building was constructed in 1929 to house part of the North West London Polytechnic.
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