A historic former stable block in the heart of Islington is being transformed into a new affordable makerspace that will give local creatives, craftspeople and small businesses room to grow – and gallop! 

During a recent visit to the Garrett Street site, Cllr James Potts, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Planning, saw first-hand the progress being made on the landmark restoration project, which is expected to complete in the coming months. 

The Victorian building was originally built in 1897 as stables for the Whitbread Brewery and has stood largely unused for several years. Now, it is being brought back to life as part of the council’s affordable workspace programme, creating dedicated space for artists, craftspeople, creative businesses and makers. The site will include shared workshop facilities, studio spaces, meeting areas, breakout space and workbenches, helping local businesses collaborate and thrive. The project is designed to broaden Islington’s affordable workspace offer beyond traditional offices and co-working environments, supporting creative industries and practical making skills.  

Leading the construction works is Carlo Conradi, Project Manager at Ellmer Construction. Carlo’s connection to Islington runs deep. His mother, Charlene, emigrated from South Africa and worked in desktop support for Islington Council, and she even attended her British citizenship ceremony at Islington Town Hall. 

“It’s come full circle in a way,” said Carlo. “This is the first project I’ve led myself, so it’s been a huge learning curve. To be working on a building with so much history and a connection to my own family’s story makes it even more special.” 

Restoring a 150-year-old building has brought plenty of challenges. As work progressed, historic features hidden for decades were uncovered, including the original barn-style stable doors, which have been carefully restored. The construction team also removed old layers of lead paint, repaired brickwork and conserved the historic Whitbread signage on the building’s frontage to ensure its heritage remains visible for future generations. 

“The more you open up a building like this, the more history you uncover,” Carlo explained. “We’ve worked hard to respect that history while creating a space that will work for modern businesses.” 

When complete, the makerspace will provide affordable, high-quality workspace for creative enterprises, alongside opportunities for events, training and community activity. 

Cllr James Potts said: 

“Garrett Street is a fantastic example of how we can preserve Islington’s heritage while creating opportunities for the future. I’m excited to see this space become a home for local artists, makers and entrepreneurs, helping people develop their ideas, build successful businesses and contribute to our thriving local economy.” 

Find out more 

The council will share further information about the future operator, workspace opportunities and how local businesses, makers and creatives can get involved as the project approaches completion. Residents and businesses interested in renting space or learning more about what’s planned for Garrett Street are encouraged to follow council updates over the coming months, or drop an email to affordableworkspace@islington.gov.uk to enquire.