MICA appointed to refurbish 729-733 Old Kent Road

729-733 Old Kent Road is a row of Victorian shops owned by Southwark Council which has stood empty for many years.

The council has appointed MICA Architects (via its new and extended Architects Design Services Framework) who will work with engineersHRW to draw-up plans to refurbish the buildings and give them a new lease of life.

Currently, the proposals include retail on the ground floor and possibly a new community cafe or pub, and training and education on the three upper storeys.

The site is part of a larger development area, bounded by Old Kent Road and Devon Street, known as the Folgate Estates. It includes a number of separate buildings and a large yard. The council estimates that more than 200 flats could be built on the site overall, as well as more than 16,500 sq ft of commercial space. The parade of shops fronting Old Kent Road will be retained and refurbished as part of the council’s commitment to preserve local heritage throughout the regeneration area.

Southwark has been awarded Future High Streets funding to help pay for the project and hopes to submit a planning application next year. In the meantime there will be a period of consultation to get the public’s feedback on how the space might be used and how it should look.

Read more about the benefits of regenerating Old Kent Road