Legendary club KOKO to be heart of a ‘wrap-around’ hotel complex
The developers hope to create a sustainable future for music venue and nightclub KOKO. Photo: Ian West - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
The live music venue is offering gig-goers a chance to wine, dine and sleep in the same hotel as their idols after seeing them perform.
Madonna performing at KOKO to launch her album 'Confessions on a Dancefloor in 2005. Photo: Yui Mok/PA - Credit: PA Archive/PA Images
The famous live music venue, which has hosted performances by Amy Winehouse, Adele, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Madonna and The Chemical Brothers, will be part of a hotel complex, after Camden Council approved the application last night.
Vevil International, which owns Grade II listed KOKO, a former theatre, the Hope and Anchor Pub next door, which closed in 2013, and the two buildings behind, will now get to work on constructing a 32 bedroom “boutique” hotel.
The developers will mostly demolish the two empty buildings behind KOKO, before building a five-storey hotel building with a basement, which will “wrap around” two sides of KOKO’s stage house.
The Hope and Anchor Pub, which closed in 2013 will host a restaurant and bar.
KOKO was once a theatre. Image from the Camden planning application. - Credit: Archant
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KOKO’s iconic green dome will become a private bar for hotel guests and there will be a “Sky Lobby” bar and restaurant above KOKO’s roof.
KOKO will also have a recording studio, which will be open to the public for hire.
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The planning application admits that music venues are in decline across the country, although “such venues are considered critical for the showcasing of grassroots music which ultimately feeds into cultural growth with society.”
The Camden Palace was originally built as a theatre, opening in 1900.
In 1909, it was renamed the Camden Hippodrome and was used as a variety theatre where Charlie Chaplin regularly performed.
The venue became a cinema in 1913, before closing in 1940 and was then used as the BBC Theatre, where they recorded such shows as the “Goon Show, Rhythm and Blues”, featuring the Rolling Stones.
The Camden Palace temporarily closed in 2004 and was re-opened in 2005 as KOKO.
Owners Vevil International believe the hotel will add £1.3m to the Camden economy annually.
They also hope to open KOKO during the day for tea-dances, rehearsal space and mother and baby classes.
