808 - 812 Tottenham High Road is home to two historic townhouses that were in need of repair. Supported by us through a Heritage Enterprise grant, the project has completely restored these buildings, removing them from the Heritage at Risk Register. They are now run by Sarabande Foundation, which was established by the late Lee Alexander McQueen to champion emerging creatives who are fearless in their vision.
Opened in May 2026, the buildings have been meticulously restored, with many of the studios retaining their original features. As part of the conservation process, the layers of wallpapers and paints applied over the centuries have been intentionally preserved to share the history of the building. They now offer spaces for creatives as well as a public gallery for exhibitions and public talks, office space, a café and a gallery sharing Sarabande artists’ work.
The buildings are part of Paxton17, the borough's new creative hub which has been home to Sarabande since it began in 2015. Over this time, Sarabande has supported more than 310 groundbreaking artists from 42 countries. Among the most noted alumni are menswear designers Craig Green and Bianca Saunders, jeweller Castro Smith and photographer Sam Rock.
Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “These new spaces will not only protect an important part of Tottenham’s heritage but also open them up in a way that invites creativity and community. It shows the positive impact regeneration projects can have on placemaking, boosting the local economy and social benefits for Tottenham and its people.”
The project builds on previous £1.5million Heritage Fund investment in Tottenham High Road. Discover more about Heritage Enterprise grants and how they can help bring neglected historic buildings back into viable productive use.
