Securing the Future – SFSA sign 250 year leasehold
First Published: 20/06/2016
Securing the Future – SFSA sign 250 year leasehold offering 80 affordable purpose built artists’ and craft and designer maker studio workspaces at Anthology Deptford Foundry
Artist Impression of how the studios will look within the wider site.
Second Floor Studios & Arts (SFSA) has exchanged contracts on the commercial space at Anthology Deptford Foundrydevelopment on Arklow Road in Deptford and is set to become home to a variety of local artists’, craft makers and designer. SFSA plan to offer in the region of new 80 new purpose-built ground and first floor studios spaces. The workspace will be ready for occupation in mid-2018.
The area around the development is already home to a depth of creative business including bronze casting, galleries, studio workspaces, dance studios and jewellery makers, all supported by the presence and investment from Goldsmith’s College at New Cross. SFSA’s new creative spaces will attract further diversity and individuality to the area providing a social and cultural value to the new residential development.
The 30,000 sq ft of affordable workspace on the ground and first floor at Deptford Foundry will provide creative employment space for up to 160 people. The studio provision being used by a wide range of artists’, craft makers and designers whose practices will include: Architecture, Bookbinding, Ceramics, Clockmaking, Drawing, Fashion & Accessories, Fine Art, Glass Fusion, Graphic Design, Illustration, Installation, Interiors & Soft Furnishings, Jewellery & Silversmithing, Leatherwork, Millinery, Moving Image, Painting, Fine Art Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Textiles / Fashion Design & Costume.
Taylor: Chuksi Ibe
Matthew Wood, Founder Director from SFSA said: “Artists have long been part of Deptford’s thriving, creative and diverse community. The provision of the studio and workspace at Anthology Deptford Foundry will continue that tradition within the area, encouraging creative use of space by artists for many years to come.
“We are looking forward to continuing our work to widen participation in the borough, by developing and delivering a programme of community engagement projects and exhibitions specifically for Anthology Deptford Foundry Studios, its members, local residents and wider communities.”
The studios at Anthology Deptford Foundry is the first phase of a new 20 year strategy for SFSA, which is underpinned by the core aim of creating a long-term security of tenure and sustainability for studio workspace for its members. A capital investment programme that will lead to a portfolio of building assets over time owned by the arts organisation, creating perpetuity with studio provision for generations of artists' and makers to come.
Adam Gaymer, Executive Director, at Anthology comments: "Working with the local authority and local community, the shared vision for Deptford Foundry was sustainable mixed use development. We have always wanted to ensure Deptford Foundry would contribute positively to the local neighbourhood and provide the much needed employment space and new homes.
“The Mayor of London’s study into artists’ workspace found that 3,500 artists in London are likely to lose their places of work in the next five years and with 35,000 graduates emerging from London’s Art & Design schools every year, demand for studio space is ever increasing across the city.
“We are really pleased to be creating this affordable employment space to help with this demand and for the talent of the future to use to support their works. We are excited to see the different types of artists flourish during their use of the studio space at our Deptford Foundry development.”
Anthology Deptford Foundry, designed by Rolfe Judd Architecture, currently has a mix of one, two and three bed apartments
The development will also provide a mix of social rented and shared ownership homes whilst offering two new play spaces, a new public route and landscaped areas to promote biodiversity.
For more details on the homes being created at Anthology Deptford Foundry, visit the development webpage or call 020 7526 9229. Find Anthology London on Twitter @AnthologyLondon, Facebook and Instagram.
