About the Trust
How The Trust Started
The Fitzrovia Trust was established in 1985. We are a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity (Registration Number 296025). The Trust has a wholly owned trading company which operates where charitable status is inappropriate.
Our principal remit is to act as an enabling agency, working closely with local authorities, housing associations and the private and voluntary sectors. The Trust was launched with capital and revenue funding from Camden Council and the GLC and aims to:
Acquire Freeholds
Acquire freeholds of mixed-use properties with a view to converting the residential parts to high quality affordable housing. To do this it works closely with councils and housing associations. The commercial elements provide accommodation for shops and businesses of value to the local community.
Acquire Leases
Acquire leases of whole buildings or parts of them, in order to bring vacant property into use.
Act as an Enabler
Act as an enabler to ensure that vacant sites or buildings are developed in a way which provides the maximum benefit to the local community, or are conveyed to another appropriate organisation, such as a housing association.
In pursing these objectives, the Trust’s aim is to ensure that development is carried out in such a way that the amenity of the area is protected and, where possible, a positive contribution is made to the architectural and historic character or Fitzrovia.
The Trust acts as a bridge between the public and private sectors and negotiates funding from a wide range of sources to pursue its objectives. In addition to initial funding from Camden and the GLC, it has assisted housing associations to obtain funds from the Housing Corporation and has also received grants and loans from the Architectural Heritage Fund and English Heritage. Additional loans have been obtained on commercial terms from financial institutions. The Trust aims to ensure that each scheme it undertakes is financially viable in its early stages and will in the long term create a surplus to be used for further projects.
Unfortunately, our task has been made more difficult by the rapid increase in property prices over the past two decade. The Trust is always on the look-out for available properties in the area, with a view to acquisition. We are aware of the difficulties of operating in an area where property values are very high, where owners often impose restrictions on the sub-letting of parts of the premises and where properties change hands without coming onto the market.
2007
In 2007, the Trust acquired a lease on the nursery and playground at 54a Whitfield Street. Work was carried out to improve the playground and to provide new play equipment. In 2021, Rainbow Angels leased the nursery and this is now offering places to local children.
1995
In July 1995, the Trust completed the conversion of two further Warren Street properties. The upper parts, comprising four flats and one maisonette, were leased to Soho Housing Association. The ground floor has been retained as shops relevant to the local community.
1990
In 1990, the Trust completed a major project of converting four buildings in Warren Street to a mixture of residential and retail uses. The upper parts were leased to Circle 33 who converted these to ten flats. Three shops are retained and let by the Trust.
We are particularly interested in acquiring vacant properties which are dilapidated or in need of repair. The properties must be capable of mixed use in keeping with our commitment to maintaining the character of the area.
