SFSA Return home
to the Royal Borough of Greenwich
New Genuinely Affordable Workspace for local artist and makers in Woolwich Historic Old Town Hall
Summer of 2023 SFSA won the opportunity to deliver a studio project with the Royal Borough of Greenwich in the historic civic quarter of Woolwich. Since then SFSA and Royal Borough of Greenwich partners have been carefully working on the studio design. Today we are happy to announce SFSA have been awarded a 20 year lease with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to operate 21 genuinely affordable, high quality, self-contained studio spaces in the heart of Woolwich.
20.01.2026
Repurposing Heritage Buildings
Following essential conservation work to restore and preserve the unique heritage of the Old Town Hall, construction begins shortly to realise the internal fit out creating 21 studios. The project has seen extensive collaboration between the Royal Borough of Greenwich, appointed architects Gort Scott and their wider team with essential partnership funding from the Ministry of House, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Fully accessible
SFSA for over 25 years have sought to be inclusive and ensuring our studios are fully accessible is one element of that philosophy. With great ingenuity Gort Scott have designed the heritage building to support a new lift and bridge link to the Old Library.
Genuinely Affordable and for Locals
Starter studios, made available for recent graduates will be £14 / sq ft and main studios start at £16.50 / sq ft. Reflecting an affordable rent in line with the London Living Wage. as defined by HAF. (https://www.laasn.co.uk/herbert-affordability-formula). Priority will be given to all studio applicants with a local postcode.
Timeline
The studios are likely to release late 2026, early 2027. Depositing for the studios will not be open until the autumn of 2026. Please register your interest via our studio application form - top right hand corner of every page on SFSA website.
Rendering images: Architects Gort Scott.
Nichole Herbert Wood, CEO
“SFSA first started as a single site studio provider in the mid 1990’s and for the first 20 years all the studio locations were in the borough of Greenwich. To be working so closely with the council and wider partners to open this new studio site, for SFSA to be coming back to its ‘home’ London Borough is an important moment in SFSA’s story. SFSA are committed to long term, high quality provision of studios, this 20 year lease secures critical creative infrastructure for the local community.”
SECOND FLOOR STUDIOS & ARTS (SFSA) established in 1997, provides affordable, long-term, high-quality studio space for artists, designers and makers. Working with developers, landowners, funders, architects, and councils to deliver flagship, long-term projects for London and Kent. From 2016, SFSA's footprint has expanded to our sites, fostering creative communities of over 190 dedicated studio members. 80 new studios are due to open in 2025. Second Floor Studios & Arts, Studio AL11, Alloy House, Moulding Lane, SE14 6BN
contact@secondfloor.co.uk www.secondfloor.co.uk