New look for loved old Wanstead building
The old Grove Hall on Grosvenor Road – until a few years ago the church hall of Wanstead United Reformed Church – has undergone an enormous refurbishment in preparation for becoming a Montessori school.
The hall, now owned by Treehouse Nursery, will be hosting 90 under-fives each day, and will give employment to a significant extra number of staff. Grove Montessori, as it will be known, is to open in the next few weeks.
The building has for many years played a big part in the lives of Wanstead people – during the War, for instance, families whose houses had been bombed were allowed to store their furniture in the hall. It was an active church hall until a few years ago when it became an after school club.
But the new school has meant a large refurbishment by Treehouse owners Paul Samouelle and Maria Sanchez, including the addition of a second floor where the hall previously was.
The hall’s original doors have been retained The stained glass at the front of the hall has been completely replaced There is a stunning new room upstairs which shows the ceiling and a new view of the church A two-metre-long tropical fish tank A heated splash pool for the children One modern room of the hall has been demolished to give the school a bigger garden… … complete with barbecue hut