Millennium Mills: Exploring Retrofit Futures in the Royal Docks

Name: Millennium Mills: Exploring Retrofit Futures in the Royal Docks
Start: 2026-06-03T13:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-06-03T23:59:59+00:00
Location: London City Hall

A panel discussion at London City Hall exploring the past, present and future of Millennium Mills in the Royal Docks, bringing together perspectives from design, development, engineering, research and education.

Millennium Mills: Exploring Retrofit Futures in the Royal Docks

Wednesday 3^rd June

13:30 - 15:30

Activity Type

Talk
Free

Neighbourhood

Royal Victoria

Audience

Built environment professionals
Local residents

Once part of London’s industrial and maritime heritage, Millennium Mills has long stood as a prominent presence in the Royal Docks, reflecting both its significance and years of decline and uncertainty. This event uses the building as a lens to explore how complex post-industrial sites can be reimagined for contemporary needs, future resilience and new forms of belonging in the city.

The discussion will bring together voices connected to the site and its future, including perspectives from the GLA Royal Docks Team, Lendlease, the University of East London, the Royal Docks Sustainability Research Institute and AKTII engineers, alongside ongoing related research, teaching and design work. Together, the panel will reflect on shifting narratives of the site: from industrial past, through decades of vacancy and speculation, to its emerging role as a testing ground for retrofit thinking, material innovation and sustainable urban regeneration.

A small exhibition by UEL’s Master’s in Architecture students, supported by AKTII engineers, exploring retrofit strategies for Millennium Mills will be on display during the event.

Admission is free, but advance booking is required.

Hosted at London City Hall as part of the London Festival of Architecture.