Creative Land Trust secures new affordable workspace at The Verdean

Creative Land Trust has been established to secure long term, affordable workspace for artists and creatives, ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for this critical industry, enriching communities and strengthening London.

It has signed a 999-year lease with Mount Anvil and Catalyst that will preserve affordable workspace in perpetuity for Ealing, which has been included in an expansion of the Mayor of London’s Creative Enterprise Zones programme. 

In total, Creative Land Trust will be taking up to c.4,600 sq ft of space on the ground and mezzanine levels at The Verdean. The space will provide for up to 30 individual occupants. 

The studios will open their doors to artists in early 2026, with residents first moving into their homes in 2024. A full tender process will be run to identify the most suitable studio operator for the space.

Having also recently announced Bow Arts moving into their new home at Three Waters, E3, the deal sees Mount Anvil’s recently adopted commercial placemaking strategy continuing its roll-out. The London-specialist developer is prioritising partnering with organisations that generate social value for its residents.

The Verdean is a 990-home regeneration scheme that is just a minute’s walk from the new Acton Mainline Elizabeth Line Station. The transformation of the Friary Park estate will offer existing residents larger, better-quality homes, and create over 1000 sq. m of new retail and commercial space.

Less than 10 min cycle from Park Royal Design District, home to over 250 artists, makers, designers. Acton is teeming with innovative minds who are keen to build their creative businesses and contribute positively to the local community. Creative Land Trust is excited to be enabling local artists and makers to play their part in the transformation of this creative corner of the London Borough of Ealing.

The affordable workspace will front on to Friary Road. It will be flexible and spread across two floors, to enable a variety of uses, providing valuable opportunities for creatives to connect, host exhibitions and put on events to contribute to the wider community.

Alex Notay and Catherine Webster, Co-Chairs of the Creative Land Trust Board said:
“CLT is proud to be able to provide long-term affordable studio space in the vibrant design district of Ealing. This work with Mount Anvil and Peabody bridges the gap between the property and creativity sectors. It demonstrates how cultural infrastructure can be embedded in London developments at an early stage, benefiting artists and the local community.”

Richard Smith, Regional Managing Director London NW, at Peabody, of which Catalyst is a subsidiary, said: 
“We are delighted to secure this long-term home for the Creative Land Trust. We are always keen to support the creative industry and bring arts and culture right to the heart of our developments and communities. Our partnership with Mount Anvil will do just that, while providing much-needed, high quality homes where residents can flourish. We look forward to seeing the plans come to fruition."

Marcus Bate, Partnerships and Communities Director at Mount Anvil, said: 
“At The Verdean we have been working hard with our friends at Catalyst to create a vibrant community for both existing and new residents. We’re committed to partnering with organisations that deliver for the local community, and so we’re delighted to be working together with Creative Land Trust to bring guaranteed affordable artistic spaces back into the heart of the Borough. As our plans for the site evolve, we’re excited about the long-term opportunities for residents we are creating together with our JV partners Catalyst.” 

Gemma Dean, Development Manager at Creative Land Trust Said:
“With one of London’s most active design districts and Creative Enterprise Zones less than a 10-minute cycle away, this is an exciting location to be establishing new, long term, affordable creative workspace. We’re delighted to see these plans come to life and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Mount Anvil, Catalyst and the local community to offer affordable space for local artists and makers to thrive.”

More information about Creative Land Trust can be found on their website here