Hackney Empire is one of the finest Edwardian Variety theatres in Britain, After years of neglect and following an international competition in 1997, Tim Ronalds Architects were commissioned to devise a scheme which would enable this atmospheric, dilapidated, Grade ll* listed, palace to survive in the 21st century. The complex project involved not only the restoration of Matcham’s wonderful 1400 seat auditorium, but the construction of a new stage & flytower and backstage building and a new front of house building. This new corner building provides social, hospitality and education spaces and new access to the main theatre. It works at an urban scale, reorientating the theatre towards the adjacent square, its giant terracotta letters defining it as the heart of Hackney. With funding from the Arts Council and Heritage Lottery, the project has proved an enormous popular success and has recieved many awards.