A pop-up plethora of artwork, coffee and street food will take place next week to mark the start of latest chapter in Archway’s regeneration.
On Tuesday, the former Fads shop, in Archway Mall, will become a temporary community centre where people can have their say on the future of Hill House and the surrounding area.
Exact plans are still up in the air, but the tower is expected to be re-clad and turned into housing, while the mall – a run-down concrete maze blighted by drafts – will be spruced up, and possibly re-landscaped, to attract new shops,
The proposed redevelopment is one of a number of huge changes planned for the area in the next 24 months.
Cllr Kaya Makarau Schwartz, who represents Junction ward which covers the mall, said: “There hasn’t been any improvement to that area for a long time so I am definitely in favour of that.
“But we have to make sure its for the benefit of local residents, business and assets like the post office.
“We have very strong community and business groups in the area and this is the time to make sure our voice is heard.” The community hub will feature artwork by Pete Fowler, who has been working with local youth groups, a coffee academy run by Coffea Arabica where people can train to become a barista and street food specialists ATE St dishing out slider burgers from their classic Citroen H-van on the square.
Murals
Adam Brockley, director of Bode, the company that is developing the site, said: “We hope that as many people as possible, particularly children and young people who will be able to work with artist Peter Fowler on the hub’s murals, will be able to come to the open day.
“We always said that we want our development to involve the community as much as possible.
“We think the Fads Hub is a great start to this and want it to be a positive part of the Archway community.”
He added: “What happens at the Fads Hub in the future is up to the community, so if you have an idea for how we can use the hub, come along and tell us.”
The event will run from 3.30 to 8pm, but plans for the proposed re-cladding of Hill House will be on display until July 22 before the planning application goes to Islington Council.
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