William Shakespeare’s ‘iconic’ Curtain Theatre undergoes £750m transformation

The Stage in Shoreditch is the £750m transformation of William Shakespeare’s original Curtain Theatre into a new destination to live, work and play.

Developed by Galliard Homes, The Stage is a striking 37-storey tower of 412 apartments, with a ‘luxury’ sky terrace and ‘state-of-the-art’ underground amusement arcade, alongside an array of lifestyle amenities and the preserved archaeological remains of Shakespeare’s ‘iconic’ playhouse.

During Elizabethan Times, The Stage formed part of a cultural village where Londoners flocked to watch Shakespeare’s Henry V and Romeo and Juliet, a popular spot to socialise, eat and drink, holding up to 1,400 visitors at a time.

Working with joint venture partners Cain International, McCourt Partners, Vanke and The Estate Office Shoreditch, the 2.3-acre site is now reborn for the 21st century, with the residential tower alongside two office blocks providing 257,000 sq ft of commercial space, 60,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space, and a performing arts pavilion.

The preserved archaeological ruins will form part of the new Museum of Shakespeare, set to open in 2024, making this a revived cultural destination for East London.

The Stage offers Londoners new homes for “all aspects of life”, inspired by the site’s history as a place for leisure. The tower’s two basement levels are dedicated to entertainment and lifestyle amenities spanning 13,700 sq ft, with a special Games & Amenities Concierge in addition to the tower’s hotel-style concierge.

The games arcade has a bespoke duckpin bowling alley, golf simulator, and extensive collection of classic arcade games including a dance machine, Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, racing games and more.

For groups there is a pool table, Air Hockey, and table tennis. To one side is a sleek BYOB bar perfect for socialising with friends, with plush seating throughout. The back wall features a bespoke art piece by Global Street Art, with neon lighting and framed prints throughout the space.

The dual screening rooms pay homage to Shakespeare, with framed movie posters of screen adaptations of his plays. Residents can book screening rooms for private film nights, and food delivery can be organised right to your seat through the dedicated concierge.

For hybrid working, there is a large 12-seater boardroom alongside a smaller meeting room, with cosy booths and comfortable breakout space. There is a large gym with mixed equipment, changing rooms and separate yoga studio.

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily