Restoration
Alexandra Palace has always adapted to meet society’s changing needs for leisure and recreation, and to embrace the latest opportunities for entertainment. From roller-skating Victorians to ice skaters today, the site has evolved over time. Our Grade II listed, historic building is a landmark that needs constant maintenance. The ravages of time have taken their toll leaving many areas inaccessible.
EAST WING RESTORATION PROJECT
Alexandra Palace has played a vital role in popular culture, inspiring visitors to explore their creativity and pursue their aspirations. Remaining true to our independent and eclectic heritage, we aim to restore, create and reimagine spaces; and deliver a programme of ground-breaking events that constantly surprises and entertains. We are working hard to find opportunities to bring these spaces back to life and together we can help build a sustainable future for the charity.
The East Wing Restoration Project is the biggest investment in the building for a generation. It was made possible by major grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Haringey Council, supported by charitable trusts, businesses and thousands of your donations. The project saw our Theatre brought back to life after 80 years and the transformation of the East Court into a spectacular new public space for the Palace and our community.
The project began in 2013 with the awarding of development funding, with construction beginning in 2016. The lead architects for the project were Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and lead contractors were Willmott Dixon.
The evolution of the Palace during this project went far beyond bricks and mortar. We found new ways to open up the Palace. Taking the pioneering spirit that saw the BBC launch television from studios at Alexandra Palace, we are collaborating with higher education and industry partners like Google Arts & Culture who helped digitise our recently rediscovered archive. We’re also working with the BBC to explore our legacy and our impact on the entertainment industry.
You can read about the East Wing Restoration Project in more detail in our Reclaiming the People’s Palace report
Tales of
restoration
12 Nov 2024
North East Office Building work nears completion
27 Oct 2024
Restoration brick by brick
1 Dec 2023
5 years of London’s ‘oldest new Theatre’
30 Mar 2022
The treasures of the long lost theatre
15 Feb 2022
Then & now: The People’s Palace in the 1920s
24 May 2021
24 May, 1873: The first Palace
1 May 2021
1 May, 1875: The Second Palace
14 Jan 2021
Transmitter Hall transformed
15 Oct 2020
#MuseumPassion
4 Sep 2020
Exploring the Alexandra Palace Archive
10 Jul 2020
Out of the ashes: 1980 Fire Anniversary
4 Jul 2020
Ally Pally ice rink celebrates 30 years
21 Apr 2020
We’ve been here before, haven’t we?
25 Feb 2020
Creativity Pavilion opens
29 Nov 2019
Alexandra Palace Theatre 1st anniversary
27 Jun 2019
We’d like to thank… Alexandra Palace Theatre and East Court named one of the UK’s best buildings
17 Feb 2019
Scanning Stage Machinery
19 Nov 2018
The Award-Winning East Wing Restoration Project
1 Oct 2018
The People Helping Restore The Palace
10 Sep 2018
Curtains Up…or Down!
18 Jul 2018
The Belly of Ally Pally
1 May 2018
Planning
25 Apr 2018
The East Court and Creative Learning
25 Apr 2018
Technology in the Theatre
25 Apr 2018
A Colourful Space
25 Apr 2018
Birdcage and the Ceiling
25 Apr 2018
From the Ground Up
25 Mar 2018
Lost and Found
16 Mar 2018
New for 1988!
13 Mar 2018
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
2 Mar 2018
A Parrott in the Theatre
15 Jan 2018
Conjuring Evil Spirits
13 Dec 2017
How do you solve a problem like storage?
2 Nov 2017
Lights, Camera, Action!
26 Oct 2017
underneath the floorboards
16 Oct 2017
What Did You Expect? Penelope Cruz!
19 Sep 2017
Reaching new heights
21 Aug 2017
The technology behind a theatre’s revival
15 Aug 2017
A revival of historic London theatres
9 Aug 2017
Restoring a Victorian Theatre
7 Aug 2017