The 1846 Roundhouse, Grade II* listed, is one of the oldest surviving former locomotive engine shed in the country, built a few years after the older Derby Roundhouse of 1839, with which Robert Stephenson was also closely involved.
For almost a century, from 1870 to 1964, it became a bonded warehouse for whisky in barrels from Gilbeys’ Highland distilleries.
Relaunched in 1966 with London’s first all-night rave it soon became an iconic rock venue, hosting all the leading stars and groups. It also acquired a reputation for cutting-edge theatre which gradually displaced rock as noise and licensing restrictions took their toll.
It closed in 1983 and had a chequered history for the next 20 years, passing through several transformations as a centre for the performing arts.
Most recently, over 2004-06, it has benefited from major regeneration to create the Roundhouse centre for the performing arts, based on the charitable trust that was established to provide a creative centre for young people. It has become once more a major cultural landmark in North London, a vibrant performance centre at the heart of Camden’s music scene. The elegant cast iron columns now give the Performance Space its character (Stuart Leech).
The Roundhouse is founded on brick vaults at natural ground level that raised the turntable and engine service bays to railway level. Central to these vaults is the Hub, now a rehearsal space (The Roundhouse). From the Hub eight passages radiate to an inner circular passage from which 24 passages, corresponding to the locomotive bays, radiated to an outer passage. Many such passages remain, while others have been adapted for studios and workshops as part of the Roundhouse’s new role. For more information see History of The Roundhouse.