Sarabande Foundation opens restored Georgian townhouses as new Tottenham studios

The Sarabande Foundation, a charity established by the late designer Lee Alexander McQueen in London, has unveiled two refurbished Georgian grade II*-listed townhouses in Tottenham, now serving as studio spaces. This development introduces 14 additional studios to the current Haggerston site, increasing the total to 30. Trino Verkade, who was McQueen's first employee and returned in 2017, is managing the initiative. Located at 808-812 High Road, these buildings are among the few remaining Queen Anne structures in London, featuring preserved original elements such as paint and wallpaper. The restoration was made possible through a Heritage Enterprise grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The 830 sq m area, designed by F3 architects, includes two connected houses with a modern extension, original coach houses, a garden, gallery, and exhibition space. Five alumni from Sarabande contributed new artworks to the site, including Tom Hemingway's hand-carved flagstones in the House of Bandits café and an umbrella design by George Richardson. The foundation aims to assist self-taught artists and jewellers, offering studio space, community support, and increased visibility to enhance their early careers.