If you’ve ever fancied getting your hands on your very own piece of the city’s rich history, now could be your chance, folks – because an oh-so iconic 24-sided structure in south London has just hit the capital city’s property market. Dating back over 200 years, The Rotunda can be found in the middle of Woolwich Common, spanning almost 11,000 square-feet. It’s currently owned by the Ministry of Defence, but the recently-formed Rotunda Trust is now on the lookout for a team to breathe new life into the beloved building.
The Rotunda, Woolwich
Designed by architectural-aficionado, John Nash (the brains behind Buckingham Palace, Marble Arch, and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton); the Rotunda originally set up shop as a bell tent in Westminster in 1814. It was initially built as a temporary ballroom to celebrate Napoleon’s defeat, but it was relocated to Woolwich in 1819, where it served as a museum for the Royal Artillery for over 180 years.
The Grade II* listed structure hasn’t been in regular use since the museum closed its doors in 2001. And aside from its brief stint as a reserve store and a boxing gym for the King’s Troop, the Rotunda has been left vacant for the best best part of 25 years. It has suffered from deterioration over the years, and has been on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ register since 2007. But that could soon change…
The historic property has recently been listed on Rightmove as The Rotunda Trust are looking for a commercial partner to operate the careful conservation and restoration of the site. The Trust have said they are open to working with a team that is capable of delivering a ‘viable long-term use for the building’. They explained that The Rotunda was originally ‘built as a place for people to gather’, and that they’d like for the building to be returned to its former glory.
The building is of ‘traditional construction’, with brick elevations, a timber-framed roof, and a 24-sided polygon-shaped room beneath the bell tent-style roof. The hope is that – once restored – The Rotunda can be used as a live music, theatre, and events venue. Repairs are expected to cost between £3.5 million and £6.5 million, and whilst there is currently no exact timeline in place, it’s expected that once snapped up, The Rotunda could be back up-and-running in as little as two years.
You can peruse the full property listing here.
