Acme Co-Founder and Chair of the Board David Panton in front of Acme Propeller Factory, January 2026 © Hydar Dewachi, courtesy of The Acme Archive
London-based charity Acme has secured the future of one of the capital’s most important artist workspaces after successfully purchasing Acme Propeller Factory in Deptford, safeguarding the building in perpetuity as London’s largest affordable studio complex.
The former 1920s ship propeller foundry spans more than 70,000 square feet and is home to 180 working artists, offering long-term stability in a city where affordable creative space is increasingly under threat. Over the past 35 years, more than 650 artists have worked in the building, making it a cornerstone of Lewisham’s cultural life and one of London’s most significant hubs for artistic production.
The acquisition concludes a two-year public campaign to protect the site, following an Acme survey revealing that 58.5% of resident artists would have been unable to continue their practice if the building had been lost. Alongside studios, the building also houses the Acme Archive and a public engagement hub supporting workshops, exhibitions and events.
The purchase was made possible through major support from The Julia Rausing Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK and the Mayor of London, as well as bank financing and contributions from artists and the local community. The building sits within the Mayor’s Lewisham Creative Enterprise Zone, recognising its cultural and economic importance to the area.
The milestone coincides with David Panton OBE stepping back from his executive role after more than five decades leading Acme, continuing instead as Chair of the Board. Co-founded in 1972 with the late Jonathan Harvey OBE, Acme has been instrumental in transforming derelict buildings into permanent, affordable spaces for artists, pioneering the use of Section 106 planning agreements to embed studio provision into London’s regeneration framework.
Dame Rachel Whiteread, a former Acme studio holder, called the Propeller Factory “a cultural hub for 180 artists” and “the UK’s biggest building dedicated solely to artists’ studios,” describing Acme as “a lifeline to creatives in London.”
With more than 1,300 artists currently on Acme’s waiting list, including over 100 Lewisham residents, the acquisition strengthens the charity’s ability to offer long-term, genuinely affordable workspace for future generations. Acme will now focus on improving accessibility, conserving the building’s heritage and reducing its environmental impact — ensuring that this vital piece of London’s creative infrastructure continues to thrive.
About
London-based charity Acme has been supporting artists in need since 1972. Over this time, we have provided thousands of artists at all stages of career with affordable studios, work/live space and a programme of artist support through residencies and awards. We support the development and production of art by reducing the practical challenges that artists face, increasing their ability to take creative risks. Acme is the single largest provider of permanent affordable artist studios in England, supporting over 800 individual artists across 15 buildings in Greater London each year. @acme.art
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Mark Westall is the Founder and Editor of FAD magazine –