Setting The Standard

Architects: Sydney Cook (later conversion by Ian Chalk)
Date Completed: 1973
Client: London Borough of Camden
Listed status: Not listed

In 1970 Camden Town Hall – housed in an interwar classical building – needed to expand. The startling Camden Town Hall Extension (or Annexe), with reinforced concrete frame, pre-cast concrete panels and bronze windows on the corner of Euston Road and Argyle Street, was the result. Designed by the Borough Architect, Sydney Cook, it had eight storeys of which six were office space, a reception, and a basement car park with space for 52 cars. Never universally liked, the annexe nonetheless adhered to the roofscape of the area and served its staff well, with restaurant and recreation space at the top. It was in operation from 1973 until 2014, when the council’s staff were moved to a purpose-built office in the nearby King’s Cross development.

When it became apparent that Camden would vacate the site it was feared that a tower block would replace it and be more intrusive. Since the 1990s, the character of the area had been uplifted first by Colin St John Wilson’s British Library and then by the restoration of Gilbert Scott’s Midland Hotel facing the Town Hall.

With plans from a hotel company, the 20th Century Society became involved and gave support to architect Ian Chalk for a conversion that retained the existing building. All the other architects competing for the project proposed total demolition. Advice was also sought from English Heritage who although not listing the building were happy to contribute. They agreed that the addition of a roof extension (to maximise hotel rooms) was understandable and necessary to retain the main building It was considered it a ‘sympathetic’ response to the key qualities of the building which would influence new audiences to the positive qualities of this (70s) architecture.

The hotel opened in 1990 and the original eight storeys were retained along with the façade with its curvilinear windows – now with new slim frames. The new roof extension adds three storeys to the building, clad in stainless steel and glass panels and dedicated to a restaurant, bar, and roof terrace, served by the striking external lift.