Ten years ago, on 13 March 2015, our building was saved from a fire that consumed the Grand Hall.
The incredible support of over 6,000 individuals and organisations – including London Fire Brigade, is the reason why BAC is still here today.
Today we are reflecting on some of the brilliant moments our building has hosted over the last decade, and looking ahead to the next 10 years and beyond of being a home for extraordinary artists, young people and communities.
“10 years on from the Grand Hall fire, we are reflecting on the last decade and what has been possible due to incredible support from the emergency services and communities who saved BAC in that moment. Our beautiful building, reimagined with architects Haworth Tompkins, has enabled us to adapt as an organisation and rise to meet new challenges, from becoming Wandsworth’s Vaccine Hub during the pandemic to welcoming audiences to a bold international programme. Since the Grand Hall reopened in 2018, it has been a wedding venue, a film location, a theatre, a concert hall and a space for local communities to come together on Christmas day. We are incredibly grateful and looking ahead to the next 10 years and beyond.”
Tarek Iskander, Artistic Director and CEO, Battersea Arts Centre
“Haworth Tompkins is proud to have supported BAC in the rebuilding of the Grand Hall. Despite the tragedy of the fire, we have fond memories of the reconstruction process. We particularly remember the huge groundswell of support that helped to save and revitalise the building – the team at BAC, the emergency services, the local community, audiences, artists and performers, insurers, heritage stakeholders, contractors and design colleagues. It has been a pleasure to see BAC adapt and evolve over the past 10 years to become such a significant cultural and community asset.”
Martin Lydon, Associate Director, Haworth Tompkins
