Reimagining underused space

for social impact

At Meanwhile Space, we unlock the potential of underused buildings and land - bringing them back to life as thriving places to work, create, connect and play. Our work supports local communities and stakeholders to revitalise towns and neighbourhoods.

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What we do

Dynamic Circles on Scroll

Research, Strategy & Insight

Working with a range of partners, we create strategies for meanwhile use, town centre revitalisation and community – led regeneration. 

Design & Development

From initial concept to site activation, we collaborate with our partners to transform vacant sites into purposeful places – testing what’s possible and making it happen. 

Operations & Delivery

We manage vibrant, mixed-use spaces where people can launch businesses, run events and host workshops.  Flexible, affordable, welcoming – our spaces are built to support growth and creativity. 

What we do

Red Ellipse Research, Strategy & Insight​

Working with a range of partners, we create strategies for meanwhile use, town centre revitalisation and community – led regeneration. 

Red EllipseDesign & Development​

From initial concept to site activation, we collaborate with our partners to transform vacant sites into purposeful places – testing what’s possible and making it happen. 

Red EllipseOperations & Delivery ​

We manage vibrant, mixed-use spaces where people can launch businesses, run events and host workshops.  Flexible, affordable, welcoming – our spaces are built to support growth and creativity. 

Our Purpose

We’re here to democratise access to space for people excluded by the commercial property system; fostering diverse creative talents, small and innovative enterprises and third sector changemakers. We give communities agency in shaping their own neighbourhoods, supporting them to build stronger local economies, expanded social and cultural infrastructures and more environmentally sustainable places. 

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Individuals

115

current community members

Communities

527

community events in 2024

Places

242,000

sq ft brought back into use since launch

Work with us

Work with us

Central Parade

Blue House Yard

Aberfeldy Street

The Hithe

LJ Works

MERP Meanwhile Strategy

Hastings Commons

Paddington Canalside Feasibility Study

Lambeth Young Futures Workspace
Central Parade

19 September 2016

2016-2021

Partners: Waltham Forest Council, Gort Scott Architects.

Guided by local engagement, Central Parade saw the transformation of a Grade II listed building into a creative hub providing space for 20 businesses including retail, freelancers and a cafe. The two-year meanwhile use was extended to five before operation was transferred to the local council.

Blue House Yard

02 August 2017

A low-budget project initiated by Haringey Council to activate vacant space to support the town centre through a period of regeneration, this mixed-use creative hub transformed a former youth services building into creative studios and activated an underused car park through the construction of worksheds and a bus-cafe. 
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Aberfeldy Street

06 November 2019

2019-2023

Partners: Ecoworld, Jan Kattein Architects.

Aberfeldy Street was a meanwhile project helping to manage change in a neighbourhood where existing housing and retail units were being demolished to make way for a denser redevelopment. It was a two-part programme of business support and shop frontage makeovers delivered in partnership with JKA, with the intention of supporting existing businesses while providing opportunities for incoming ideas and the integration of existing and new communities.

The Hithe

19 September 2021

2021 – 2031

Partners: Southwark Council, IF_DO.

The Hithe was commissioned in 2018 to transform a vacant site situated at a pivotal point between Canada Water and Rotherhithe Station. The demountable structure was designed to breathe life into the space for a 10-year meanwhile use period. The Hithe fosters a sense of community and identity with its striking aesthetic statement and also by extending its benefits to the local community through partnership initiatives. It serves as a cultural hub supporting entrepreneurship, skill-sharing, and community engagement.

LJ Works

19 September 2023

2023 – Current

Partners: Lambeth Council, LJ Farm, Public Works, Architecture 00.

A multi-use site housing retail, studios, offices, a kitchen and coffee roastery, connected by a yard and growing space.

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MERP Meanwhile Strategy

06 November 2023

Partners: Clarion Housing

Meanwhile Space was commissioned to develop meanwhile use strategies to shape the development of two sites within the Merton Estates Regeneration Project – a £1 billion initiative regenerating areas across south-west London by creating 2,800 new homes, upgrading existing homes and improving greenspace, retail, and community facilities. Our strategies looked to harness the 10-year regeneration period as a window of opportunity to pilot community and commercially led interventions.

Hastings Commons

04 February 2025

A joint venture between Hastings Commons CLT, Meanwhile Space and Jericho Road, Hastings Commons is a cluster of buildings, growing since 2014, that represents a pioneering example of community-led regeneration. Having secured 8000m2 of assets for community ownership in perpetuity, Meanwhile Space will eventually step away from the project once the enabling and capacity building stage is over. 

Paddington Canalside Feasibility Study

04 February 2025

Partners: Westminster Council, JKA

A feasibility study to progress the viability of an interim use project under the Westway, undertaken in collaboration with Westminster Council and JKA. Our role involved local engagement to inform the mix of uses and design process, alongside business model and operational strategy.  

Lambeth Young Futures Workspace

04 February 2025

Partners: Lambeth Council

A collaboration with Spiral Skills and Lambeth’s Future Workspace Fund to develop the concept of a young person’s led enterprise hub within the borough. The resulting project will be taken forward for funding, and brings together enterprises supporting young people, alongside space for enterprises within desirable industries for young people to gain experience, and programmes to support young people to start and grown their own businesses.