Central Announces Bankside Studios

Central is pleased to announce the acquisition of additional campus space, Central Bankside Studios, on London’s vibrant Southbank. 

The close proximity to a number of cultural institutions including Jerwood Studios, the Menier Chocolate Factory, The Rose Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Southwark Playhouse and the Union Theatre, will embed the School in and amongst a community with a burgeoning theatrical interest – on the site of the Capital’s historical theatre district. 

Whilst increasing the School’s number of available studios and teaching spaces, Central Bankside will also relieve pressure from its busy Swiss Cottage site during work on the new North Block development project. The location will provide further opportunities for outreach and community projects, and its ease of access to transport links which connect to the City and Canary Wharf will allow for additional course development in business training.

Central’s Principal, Professor Gavin Henderson, said:

“Taking on new premises in Bankside does more than simply replace accommodation that we are demolishing to make way for our new building at Swiss Cottage.  It will be an added dimension to our estate, placing Central at the heart of a burgeoning new Off West End theatrical community.  The Menier Chocolate Factory, Southwark Playhouse, Union Theatre, and Nick Hytner and Nick Starr’s new theatre are all close at hand.  Symbolically we will be on the site of the very foundation of the English Playhouse with the Globe and Rose theatres, and with Tate Modern growing new performance work as well.  The Jubilee Line gives us swift connections between Swiss Cottage and London Bridge.

GRAHAM Construction will soon commence work onsite for Central’s new Swiss Cottage building designed by Tim Ronalds.  This will include five double-height studios, featuring a courtyard theatre, a sound and film studio, a dedicated dance and movement studio, and two further all-purpose studios.  There will be ten stories of breakout and office rooms, enabling a complete rethink of arrangements for academic support and research.

Central Bankside will compliment this new building, with rehearsal studios and greater scope for breakout, short courses, community and youth projects.” 

The School expects to open its Bankside site in January 2017.