Hammersmith’s iconic ballroom and live music venue, the Hammersmith Palais, was finally torn down yesterday.
Hammersmith’s iconic ballroom and live music venue, the Hammersmith Palais, was finally torn down yesterday.
Student accommodation firm, Pure Student Living, have confirmed they will be building a 418-bed, student accommodation building on the site.
The new building will be five-storeys high at the side facing Shepherds Bush Road and ten-storeys high at the back of site, next to the underground line.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council were expected to follow through with the demolition in late 2009 but the plans were later stalled.
The site has had several planning applications associated with it. In 2009 one of these applications to build 429 student flats as well as shops was rejected.
“We felt able to approve the application this time as it was much more sympathetic to its surroundings and was in keeping with the neighbouring listed buildings of the police station and the library,” said Councillor Alex Chalk, chairman of the planning applications committee for Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
“We look forward to seeing the new building in place of the run-down shell the Palais has unfortunately become.”
Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s planning committee have agreed with developers that the original paintwork on the side of the building must remain intact to try and preserve some of the building’s heritage.
The new accommodation will also mark the ballrooms legacy with a possible plaque and wall in the entrance hall.
Originally called the Hammersmith Palais de Danse, the venue began operating as a ballroom and entertainment venue from 1919 to 2007.
In its glory days, the Palais has seen host to bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Sex Pistols, even having a track named after it by British punk band The Clash.
The student accommodation centre will be ready for the academic year starting September 2013 and is not tied to any academic institution.
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