The restoration of the Grade II* listed former Granada Cinema marks the triumphant return of a cultural icon at the heart of Walthamstow’s community life.

Unveiled in 1930 as 'The Granada', this stunning theatre in Walthamstow opened to the public during the height of the cinema boom, providing a landmark soaked in cultural context. The cinema, bought and constructed by Sydney Berstein, was a bold collaboration between theatre architect Cecil Masey and set designer Theodore Komisarjevsky, united in a vision to create an Alhambra-inspired auditorium layered with Moorish detail and to provide the Walthamstow town centre with a rare and opulent architectural gem.

After passing over many different hands and lying dormant for nearly two decades, the building fell into substantial disrepair. In 2003 it was added to the ‘Heritage at risk register’. However, following years of local campaigning, Waltham Forest Council stepped in and purchased the building in 2019 to revive this much-loved cultural landmark. This was part of it’s commitment as the first Mayor of London’s Borough of Culture and as part of the council’s focus on culture, inclusive economy and regeneration of its' town centres.

Iconic features, such as the Alhambra-inspired ziggurat ceiling, the original chandeliers, and the beautifully patinaed finishes have been painstakingly restored in collaboration with Historic England, ensuring all interventions blended seamlessly and matched the building’s initial vision.

The London Borough of Waltham Forest initially partnered with Pilbrow & Partners as concept architects to shape the early vision for the project. Willmott Dixon Interiors came on board as the main contractor, with Bond Bryan appointed as delivery architects to help bring that vision to life.

Working closely with experts from Waltham Forest Council, Historic England, and the Soho Theatre team, the project focused on the careful restoration and sensitive modernisation of this Grade II* listed building. The aim was to preserve and enhance its rich architectural and cultural legacy while transforming it into a modern cultural powerhouse—a theatre for everyone. Our challenge was to turn that ambition into reality.

“This project was about much more than restoring a building — it was about reigniting its civic and cultural value. We’re proud to have played our part in giving Walthamstow back this extraordinary space.” - Nicholas Moore, Project Lead, Bond Bryan