The whole team at jj Locations gets very excited about abandoned buildings, especially those on the scale of Printworks London, the agency’s latest industrial monster in Canada Water, East London. (Website ref 14826)
Cities like London never stand still; they’re constantly moving, changing , expanding with bigger and better buildings supporting its growth. Inevitably, within just a few decades, many properties, that were once strapping key players in London’s industries-of-the-day, become surplus to requirements; their architecture and practicality now passé. This late-80s printing warehouse is no exception to the ruthlessness of progress. However, the building’s silver lining is that the loss of its original identity has coincided with London’s recent innovative and lucrative approach towards ‘meanwhile use’ and exciting, creative uses of empty buildings. Working with its owners, we envisage the property as meeting our clients’ passion for empty and blank-canvas spaces: servicing pop-up events, immersive experiences, production offices, unit parking and for use of the bare-bones structure itself as a backdrop for photo shoots and filming.
The location can be hired in its extensive entirety or on a space-by-space basis. Here’s a guide to its zones:
The Press Hall:
This heigh-ceilinged, atrium style space exhibits exposed, tiered walkways and a smorgasbord of industrial materials (iron grates, strip lighting, concrete, pipes, glass) and an abundance of space making it a popular destination for partying and big congregations.
Reel Storage:
From reels of paper to reels of film – hopefully! This former storage space has already been used for numerous events with ease of access in which to establish a bar. Polished concrete floors and corrugated walls throughout.
Vanway:
Another area avaialble for hire whereby the name does-what-it-says-on the tin. This sci-fi style warehouse was always destined to be easily accessed by large vehicles. Aesthetically, the space has lots of meaty industrial tidbits… complete with hatches that would be very much at home on the set of Alien. Scary.
Publishing:
Comparatively lower ceilings in this area, providing a two-level space with steps descending in to another of the building’s attributes: interrupted open-plan space. The room boasts a complex, skeletal ceiling and low-hanging strip lighting.
HSBC:
This substantial warehouse space is set to capture the imagination of film crews, photographer and events-planners alike. This space also boasts drive-in access for vehicles.
The Yard:
Whether the purpose of hiring The Yard is purely functional, e.g. parking, or a fully-fledged, atmospheric part of the shoot or event itself, this hard-standing space (like its interiors) doesn’t disappoint on space.
The Printworks is an incredibly adaptable creative space that gives its hirers freedom to set-build, light and use the existing features of the building. With the exception of The Press Hall, most spaces can currently be hired for long term use (though The Press Hall still has good availability on weekdays). The property has capacity for 6,000 persons, three-phase power supply, and parking-spaces-a-plenty making it one of London’s most capable venues. It’s maze of corridors, original industrial features and vast halls make this ground-breaking venue a unique and inspiring opportunity for our client base.
Click here to see the full set of images of the location on our agency’s site.
Get in touch with one of our team – we’ll look forward to hearing how you wish to interpret the space to fit your brief!
locations@jjmedia.com
020 7749 0500