UK: A former bingo hall in Burnt Oak, north London, will be converted to coworking and coliving space after plans for the project were given the go-ahead.
The former Mecca Bingo Club is in a Grade II listed building that has been unused since it closed in 2014.
A proposal to erect a part-seven, part-eight storey building comprised of coworking space and shared living units was submitted to Brent Council in April 2020.
The scheme – which also requires a separate application to alter the listed building – involves partially demolishing and restoring the former bingo hall, to which an extension will also be added. Both applications were approved on June 22.
According to a planning statement prepared on behalf of the applicant, EEH Properties Ltd, the proposal’s design aims to retain emphasis on the listed building. The extensions – one of three-storeys to the roof, the other of seven-storeys to the side – will be set back for this reason. Many features of the building, which originally opened in 1936 as a cinema, will be retained.
This includes the entrance, which will become the access point for both the coworking space and coliving units. The walls and ceiling of the auditorium are to be restored and preserved, with the existing stalls and main stage repurposed for the coworking space. Elements of the balcony seating will also be retained.
According to the planning statement, 127 coliving units have been included to cater to young professionals leaving university.
A café, which will also be accessible to the public, is proposed on the ground floor of the side extension.
