Image: Vestry House historic entrance reimagined, Studio Weave 2023
Supported by Waltham Forest Council’s Leveling up Fund, the London museum is expected to reopen in 2026.
Plans for the £4.5m redevelopment of Vestry House museum in Walthamstow have been approved.
London architectural practice Studio Weave will lead the transformation of the local history museum into a “heritage destination” with a “culture and heritage offer that more fully reflects the borough’s diversity”.
Work was initially set to begin in early 2024, with the museum having closed late last year to accommodate for it. The work is still expected to be completed before a reopening in early 2026.
Plans include the the relocation of the public museum to the ground-floor of the building, a new ramp access to aid accessibility, the demolition/rebuild of the ‘millenium’ extension to be replaced by a cafe, the installation of a platform lift, and the formation of new primary entrance.
The project also includes the relocation of museum storage offsite, and the creation of a space for creative workspaces, community curation and programming, along with heritage hubs across the borough.
Once fully operational, the museum is expected to welcome up to 80,000 visitors and up to 60 school visits annually, and provide 60 training and employment opportunities for local young people.
