The Site

We see this site as a missing piece of the jigsaw in the heart of Camden Town – full of potential and something that could be really special, bringing new life and purpose to an underused space.

Then and Now

Originally opened as The Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1873, the building has been cut and carved multiple times over the years by various tenants and operators, leaving very little of the original features.

1873

Royal Alexandra Theatre

1875

Royal Park Theatre

1883

The Royal Park Hall

1937

The Gaumont Palace, Regent’s Park

1960s

Odeon Cinema and a bingo hall created in the stalls

1979-1997

Odeon Cinema closes, with cinema leased out to independent operators including Gate Camden in 1980 and The Parkway in 1986

1997-2000

Odeon Cinema returns and Mecca occupies bingo hall

2024 – present

Odeon Cinema remains in part following Mecca Bingo Hall vacating

Now

With Odeon cinema recently deciding to vacate the site in early 2026 and with Mecca Bingo having already left in 2024, we want to turn this underused site into a thriving part of Camden Town

Local context

Camden Town has always been bold, an area where people gravitate and create.

The site is bordered by three streets – Arlington Road, Parkway and Inverness Street – each with their own distinct character. It also falls within the Camden Town Conservation Area, all of which we’ve carefully considered as part of our early design thinking.

Parkway is the front door for the site, located opposite well-known bars, venues and restaurants

Arlington Road offers more of a peaceful and local feel, containing residential houses, The Cavendish Primary School, and Arlington House

Inverness Street brings bustling energy with market activity from the Inverness Street Market and is lined with bars, restaurants and creative outlets

With so much happening around it, Camden Town Xchange is an opportunity to add to Camden’s cultural, social, and residential landscape and help to address a local need.

The opportunity

With Mecca Bingo having vacated and the remaining Odeon set to close in 2026, we see an opportunity to reimagine and shape a bold new future for this important site, one that better responds to local challenges and builds on what makes the area so unique.

Introduce a new cultural or leisure space, offering a modern and flexible take on its historic uses and central location

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Camden has a long-standing history as a creative hub. There is an opportunity to deliver a fresh new cultural destination that both celebrates the past and meets the needs of today’s community.

The new space will be inclusive and accessible, reimagining cultural engagement and local entertainment for the future.

Provide affordable homes and student homes in Camden Town

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For decades, Camden’s creative scene has thrived because students and young people have gravitated to live, work and play here – fuelling innovation, bringing energy and vibrancy which benefits everyone.

Yet with a shortage of affordable housing and purpose-built student accommodation, many are being priced out.

Contribute towards a safer Camden Town Centre

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The current site does nothing to help tackle anti-social behaviour as a large part of the building is vacant and the blank façades mean there is little overlooking.

We see these proposals as an opportunity to help improve the overall sense of safety in the area, with lively and welcoming building fronts and activity to help dissuade disruptive behaviour.

Turn the tide on an increasing number of vacant shops in Camden Town

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There has been a number of retail closures in recent years along Parkway and Camden High Street, such as Gap leaving in 2021, and Argos moving from stand-alone stores to outlets.

While these changes present challenges, they also open opportunities to reimagine and revitalise Camden’s high street and its surrounds, ensuring they continue to serve as vibrant community hubs.

Align with Camden Council’s own vision for the future

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Our aim is to deliver a mixed-use development that meets current and future needs and aligns with the Council’s vision and priorities for the area: increasing affordable housing, supporting diverse housing needs, and revitalising the town centre.

Our proposals will build on the Council’s recent work to create a safer and more welcoming town centre, which includes trialling the partial pedestrianisation of Camden High Street and hosting the first family-friendly Evening Street Market on Inverness Street.

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