Work starts on Cambridge Arts Theatre's ACT II Building Project

Construction work on Cambridge Arts Theatre’s ambitious ACT II project to create much-needed new public spaces for the Theatre, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, has begun. 

From September, audiences entering the Theatre from St Edward’s Passage will be greeted with a large, light foyer. There will be extended bar spaces with new seating areas, making it easier to buy refreshments before shows and during the interval. At the same time, the current Peas Hill entrance and foyer will be comprehensively refurbished. The increased space and improved facilities will make it easier and more enjoyable to move around the building. 
 

The redevelopment plans have been scheduled to minimise the impact on the Theatre’s regular programme of performances. Whilst the construction works will last 17 weeks, there will be a break in performances for only 10 weeks over the summer. The box office will be open as usual, and the works will be completed in time for the opening of the autumn season in mid-September.
 

Unveiling the designs the Chief Executive of Cambridge Arts Theatre, Dave Murphy said: “This project is great news for our audience and is a significant step towards the realisation of our overall ACT II vision for our Theatre. We are incredibly grateful to all the organisations and individuals that have made such pioneering and generous donations to fund this first phase of our works.”

Residential Scheme in Islington gains Planning Approval

A Burrell Foley Fischer scheme for Islington Council has received Planning consent.  The scheme involves the conversion of disused undercroft garages, beneath the Trefil Walk residential block on the Williamson Estate, into 18 new residential units providing social housing, shared ownership, and private sale accommodation, as well as the refurbishment of the existing community centre.

The conversion of the disused undercroft, in addition to creating much needed affordable housing in the borough, will animate the street frontage at ground floor level and allow for improvements to security for the existing residents above.

Site location - Parkhurst Road, Islington

Current 'blocked up' frontage of disused ground floor garages

New flats at ground floor bringing new life to the street frontage

A similar Burrell Foley Fischer scheme for Islington Council has recently been completed on the Vulcan Way estate.

Former, unused, ground floor garages at Vulcan Way

New flat, in former garages, at Vulcan Way

BFF Cinemas featured in Guardian Cine-files feature

Harbour Lights Southampton, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, is the latest cinema to be featured in the Guardian's regular Cine-files feature.  The Cine Lumiere, in South Kensington, London which we refurbished, was similarly featured last month.

Harbour Lights in a two screen new build cinema which opened in 1995 and is still going strong nearly twenty years later.  As the Guardian says:

"While the surrounding area has been completely redeveloped into high-end sea-view flats, Harbour Lights has remained steadfast, like a cinematic lighthouse guiding film-lovers through choppy waters".

Visit the Guardian's Harbour Lights feature

The Cine Lumiere, an Art Deco cinema at the Institut Francais, was refurbished by Burrell Foley Fischer in 2008.  The project restored the character and quality of the Art Deco interior whilst bringing the cinema up to date in terms of projection and sound technology, comfort and operational flexibility.  The Guardian comments:

"The decor could be straight out of Mad Men, making it one of the most stylish viewing experiences you'll find in London".

Visit the Guardian's Cine Lumiere feature