Have your say

Public consultation on the future of Blue Star House

Following a first round of consultation, Derwent London has updated proposals to transform Blue Star House into a modern hotel with flexible co-working space, creating a new hub of activity in the heart of Brixton.

View our proposals
CGI of proposals along Stockwell Avenue

Help us shape a sustainable future for Blue Star House

Working with our partners Astir, we are proposing to refurbish and extend Blue Star House and design a new building on the existing car park, to bring a new hotel and flexible co-working space to the centre of Brixton.
Derwent London are excited to share updated proposals for Blue Star House, a building located in the heart of Brixton, opposite the O2 Academy, at 234-244 Stockwell Road, SW9.
We are keen to ensure that this a new, vibrant and interactive place for Brixton. We have now developed carefully considered proposals, shaped by the feedback we received in the first round of consultation in March 2025.
The revised proposals for Blue Star House will deliver a wide range of lasting benefits for the local community, shaped by consultation feedback and aligned with Lambeth’s goals for inclusive economic growth. These include new local jobs, affordable workspace, a bookable community room, improved public spaces, and a sustainable, low-carbon design. Cultural features will also celebrate the site’s heritage as the former home of The Voice, ensuring the scheme reflects and supports Brixton’s identity.
We are proud of the long-term relationships we build with local communities, forging partnerships to create distinctive spaces where people thrive. Please join us on our journey as we continue to ensure a ensure a sustainable future for Blue Star House that supports Brixton’s economy.

Come along to our public exhibitions for more information on our updated proposals

Exhibition details
Proposed Streetscape along Stockwell Avenue
The Site

The current building and why it is no longer suitable for office use

Blue Star House is located on Stockwell Road, in the heart of Brixton, opposite the O2 Academy venue and adjacent to The Department Store Studios and the former Quin & Axtens’ Department Store.
The site benefits from excellent connectivity being located only a short distance from Brixton Underground and Rail Stations and with strong bus network connections, encouraging active travel and the use of public transport.
The site consists of an existing 11 storey building in the centre of the site, with a one storey building to the rear and a one storey extension to the front. The 11 storey building was constructed in the 1960s and has a dated appearance which does not contribute positively to the area. It is no longer suitable for modern office use for numerous reasons including low floor to ceiling heights, narrow column grids and poor energy efficiency standards.
view our proposals
View location

We want your feedback on our updated vision, and how you think we can make this a more interactive place for Brixton

HAVE YOUR SAY
First Round of Consultation

You said

We did

Improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour around the site.
The design of the development and public realm has been shaped by feedback from public consultations, community groups, Lambeth’s planning team and the Met Police Designing Out Crime Officer. It includes measures to deter drug storage, littering, public urination and other street crime, while enhancing passive surveillance through active frontages on all three sides of the site.
The proposals should be designed with neighbouring buildings in mind.
We have designed the proposals with a material and colour palette informed by surrounding buildings. The red brickwork on Stockwell Avenue reflects the Department Store Studios opposite, while the white/cream base echoes the upper floors of the adjacent former Department Store on Brixton Road.
The office space should focus on affordable, flexible options for local people rather than traditional offices.
A flexible co-working model is proposed to meet the demands of small businesses, start-ups and the local community. As part of this, we are committed to offering a selection of desk spaces at discounted rates specifically for local businesses.
Brixton’s cultural heritage must be celebrated.
We have an idea to feature permanent public art at the development to celebrate The Voice, Britain’s first and only national Black newspaper, which operated from Blue Star House for a number of years. This idea is at an early stage and we are keen to hear of other ways in which our proposals could celebrate the history and culture of Brixton.
There are so many co-working spaces already, and they aren’t full.
We have reduced the overall amount of office space from two floors, to one floor at ground level. Our design is also future proofed so that the office space can be converted to retail or another commercial use if the demand for office space is low in the future.
Sustainability should be prioritised.
The latest proposals include the retention of the existing building frame to avoid a carbon-costly full demolition and rebuild, along with blue roofs, energy-efficient systems, and biodiversity improvements through new landscaping.

More information about how we have further developed our proposals following feedback will be shared at our public exhibition.

Exhibition details

Proposed Development

CGI of proposals along Stockwell Avenue
The part of the hotel within the retained existing building has a different window pattern to the extension of the hotel above.
CGI of proposals along Stockwell Road

Our proposals

A vibrant new hotel, catering to a diverse range of visitors in a currently under-supplied area

Flexible co-working space for local businesses including a selection of desk spaces at affordable discounted rates

An improved environment around the site, creating safer and greener streets for pedestrians and cyclists

Year round footfall, boosting local businesses and creating new job opportunities

A place that celebrates Brixton's rich cultural heritage

A highly sustainable development, focusing on energy efficiency and retaining as much of the existing building as possible

Why a hotel?

Brixton attracts many visitors but lacks hotel space. A hotel near the station and O2 Academy would support tourism, events, and jobs, boosting local businesses and the night-time economy.

Flexible co-working space

We’re replacing traditional offices with flexible workspaces for freelancers, creatives, and start-ups, plus a community space for workshops, responding to demand for affordable, adaptable workplaces.

Celebrating Brixton's cultural legacy

The building will be retrofitted, not demolished, cutting carbon, reducing waste, and creating a low-impact, future-proof hotel.

A sustainable development

The building will be retrofitted, not demolished, cutting carbon, reducing waste, and creating a low-impact, future-proof hotel.
BEFORE
after

Creating a more interactive place

We’re transforming the area by removing the car park, adding greenery, improving lighting, and activating the ground floor with a café and co-create space, making streets safer, greener and more welcoming.

Why a hotel?

Brixton is a vibrant and culturally rich area that attracts a significant number of visitors each year. With limited hotel options currently available, there is a significant opportunity to cater to this demand and diversify the hotel offering available to those wishing to stay in Brixton.
The siteʼs prime location near to Brixton underground station, opposite the O2 Academy and close to other major attractions makes it ideally suited to cater to a diverse range of guests including attendees at local events as well as leisure, business and solo travellers.

Our proposals include a sensitively designed hotel that will occupy the upper floors of the building, with a welcoming entrance of Bellesfield Road, supporting footfall and local vibrancy.

The hotel will create over 50 new jobs, with a focus on providing training and employment opportunities for local residents. It will boost footfall and support Brixton’s local businesses and night-time economy by encouraging more overnight stays. The hotel also strengthens Brixton’s role as a destination for culture, events and nightlife, complementing well-loved venues such as Brixton Village, the O2 Academy and Pop Brixton. In response to consultation feedback, the design has been carefully developed to balance the hotel’s function with broader public benefits, including the introduction of a co-create space, local job creation, and a more welcoming and active streetscape.

CGI of rear entrance

Flexible co-working space

In response to changing work patterns and feedback from the first round of consultation, we are proposing a new co-working model for Blue Star House that moves away from traditional office use. The revised plans reflect the growing demand for flexible, affordable and collaborative workspaces that support start-ups, creatives, and remote workers. A new co-working area will be introduced, available on a day-pass or membership basis, and tailored to local entrepreneurs, freelancers and small businesses. A co-create space at ground floor level will also be available for local groups to host workshops and meetings. The overall office space has been reduced to better reflect post-pandemic needs, with improvements to layout and natural light to create a more comfortable and adaptable environment. These changes support Lambeth’s ambition to foster entrepreneurship and ensure that local people can access affordable workspace close to home.

Celebrating Brixton's Cultural Legacy

During the first round of consultation, many people told us how important it was to recognise the cultural and historical significance of Blue Star House. Formerly the home of The Voice, the UK’s leading Black newspaper, the building holds an important place in Brixton’s story. We are embedding that legacy into the proposals through public art and interpretation features developed in collaboration with local cultural organisations. This includes a permanent artwork on the façade celebrating Black British achievement, as well as interpretive panels telling the story of the building’s role in media and activism. Local artists and young people will be invited to help shape the design of the new mural, ensuring that the community plays a central role in celebrating the site’s history.
What public art would you like to see at Blue Star House that showcases the culture of Brixton? Let us know here
Blue Plaque honoring Val Mccalla at Blue Star House

A sustainable development for Brixton’s future

Sustainability is at the heart of our plans, with energy-efficient design and environmental best practices guiding our approach.
A key priority has been to explore how the existing building and structure can be refurbished and reused. Whilst the building cannot be adapted to accommodate modern office use, it is well suited to being re-purposed and retrofitted into a hotel use. This approach will avoid a disruptive demolition, lowering the scheme’s environmental impact.
This adaptive reuse strategy will deliver a future-proofed, low carbon development that benefits both the local community and the wider area.

Creating a more interactive place

Our proposals aim to transform Stockwell Avenue into a safer, greener and more inclusive space by removing the existing car park and making the development car-free, helping to create a more pedestrian- and cycle-friendly environment. Regular reports of anti-social behaviour in the area have shaped our vision for a public realm that feels open, active and welcoming for local residents.
BEFORE
after

One of the strongest messages from our initial consultation was the need to improve safety and accessibility, and we have responded by designing the ground floor to include active uses such as a café, a co-create space and guest amenities. These features will bring more activity to the street, while large areas of glazing will improve natural surveillance and help to discourage anti-social behaviour.

before
after
A new landscape strategy will further enhance the setting, with planting, trees and public seating creating a more pleasant place to spend time. Wider pavements, better lighting and clearer sightlines along Stockwell Avenue and Bellefields Road will improve safety and the overall pedestrian experience. The development will be delivered through a carefully managed construction process that is sensitive to neighbours and existing tenants, with clear communication and measures in place to minimise disruption.
Greener spaces will be created with new planting, public seating and retained trees to enhance the streetscape. The removal of the existing car park will allow for a car-free development that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists. At the same time, clearer sightlines, better lighting and a revised ground floor layout will help eliminate hiding places and improve natural surveillance. These improvements reflect Lambeth Council’s ambition for healthier, safer streets and will help create a more positive and accessible environment for the local community.

Exhibition Boards

Have your say

Come along to our exhibitions and help us shape this prominent Brixton landmark

We are committed to engaging with Brixton residents to help us deliver a sustainable future for Blue Star House, that gives back to the local community.
If you have questions for the project team, please email bluestarhouseconsultation@conciliocomms.com or call 0800 193 0884, and a member of the team will be in touch.
If you have questions for the project team, please email:
SEND E-MAIL

or call 0800 193 0884, and a member of the team will be in touch.

How can we make this an interactive place for Brixton?

Your views continue to be a vital part of this project. As we move towards a planning application, we want to hear your thoughts on the revised proposals for Blue Star House.

Public
Exhibition 1

  • Saturday 28th June
  • 11am-2pm
  • Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Road, London SW9 8QQ
View Location

Public
Exhibition 2

  • Thursday 4th July
  • 4-7pm
  • Brixton Recreation Centre, 27 Brixton Station Road, London SW9 8QQ
View Location

Online
Survey

  • Have your say by filling in our online feedback form below.
  • Our survey is currently open. Please let us know your thoughts before Friday 28th March.
SURVEY HERE
Following the second round of consultation events, we will publish the material shown on this website.
If you would like to be notified of any updates, then please share your details here:
Thank you for visiting our website and we look forward to engaging with you over the forthcoming months as we deliver a sustainable future for Blue Star House

Derwent London

Derwent London is a renowned London-focused investor developer, who takes a long-term view to development. We are supported in the scheme by project manager Astir, and a world-class design and technical team.

The wider team

Astir
GRID Architects
Concilio Communications
DP9 planning consultancy

We’d love to hear from you!
Drop us a message below

Our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

Created by Studio Sustancia. All Rights Reserved.