VoHo crowned London’s most vibrant arts hub

Striking Newport Street Gallery is walking distance from elegant Vauxhall properties

The winner of the Stirling Prize in 2016, Vauxhall can officially claim its place as London’s hottest arts district. The building in question is the Newport Street Gallery (featured above), built by Damien Hirst to house his £25m, six-gallery art museum. The design, by architects Caruso St John, unites three Victorian studios where skilled painters and craftsmen once made scenery for West End theatres. It won praise from Jane Duncan, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) who enthused "This project exemplifies the best of UK architecture."

Beaconsfield Art Gallery hosts a spectacular range of exhibitions, talks and events

It’s no wonder that London’s uber trendy arts crowd has now dubbed the area ‘VoHo’. Even before the Newport Street Gallery opened its doors, Vauxhall was home to several important arts venues. Gasworks, at 155 Vauxhall Street, provides artists’ studios and exhibition spaces, while Beaconsfield Contemporary Art Gallery in Newport Street - located in the old Lambeth Ragged School building – offers an annual programme of exhibitions, talks and events. The recent relocation of the high profile art gallery Cabinet (which moved from premises in Old Street to the site of the 18th century Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens), was another big win for Vauxhall in its ambition to become a major centre for the contemporary arts scene.

Ever since the famous Pleasure Gardens opened in Vauxhall in the 18th century, the area has been the go-to destination for those seeking excitement, culture and an alternative lifestyle. It has found particular favour with the LBGTQ community and this coming together has an interesting historical precedent. When an exclusive re-launch for the Pleasure Gardens was staged in 1732, the celebrated guests included John Cooper - better known in society as ‘Princess Seraphina’ - who attended the event wearing a fashionable calico gown and mob cap.

Future plans for Vauxhall include a series of art and light installations placed in the railway arches. A quirky walkway dubbed the ‘Promenade of Curiosities’ will link Hirst’s gallery and Vauxhall’s parks with the South Bank, while a new Linear Park (inspired by New York’s High Line) will lead pedestrians towards Nine Elms.

Vauxhall’s riverside location, fast transport links and growing reputation as an arts hub puts it in line to become one of south London’s most exciting cultural destinations.

At Daniel Cobb we have been helping homebuyers and tenants find houses and flats in Vauxhall for the past twenty years, so call us today to view some beautifully presented Vauxhall properties for sale or rent.

Image Source: afasiaarchzine.com

Photo Credit: Rosella Degori