THE BUILDING

Shipwright is based at the Master Shipwright’s House in Deptford.

The Master Shipwright’s House and Office is one of the few remaining parts of Deptford’s former royal dockyard. Founded by Henry VIII in 1513 the King's Yard became one of the most important shipbuilding yards in the world before finally closing in 1869.

The Tudor house was rebuilt in 1708 for master shipwright Joseph Allin who, dissatisfied with his existing house, persuaded the Navy Board to invest in a remodelling. However, Allin overspent on the house and, amidst rumours of corruption, he was dismissed in 1715.

After the dockyard closed, the house was used by the superintendent of the Foreign Cattle Market that occupied the yards for a time.

It was bought and restored by its current owners, Willi Richards and Chris Mažeika, in 1998. Since then they have made it a home and creative space for artists, performers, and audiences from around the globe. The Shipwright is the exciting next step in the long history of creative arts at the Master Shipwright’s House, bringing together generations of inspiring work, and welcoming in new audiences to this remarkable space.