Barbican Gets £231M Renovation Green Light
The iconic Barbican Centre in London received approval for a £231 million renovation that will modernize performance spaces, public areas, and the building's façade. The ambitious project ensures the Barbican remains a leading hub for the arts in the UK. The brutalist landmark, opened in 1982, will undergo its most significant transformation since opening.
The renovation is being led by a design team from Allies and Morrison and Asif Khan Studio, with Buro Happold providing engineering expertise. Their plan focuses on a "retrofit-first" approach, aiming to preserve the Grade II-listed building's heritage while boosting sustainability and finding new uses for underutilized areas. Major on-site construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the project aiming for completion by 2030, ahead of the centre's 50th anniversary in 2032. This will necessitate a one-year closure for the majority of the arts centre, from the end of June 2028 until June 2029, though the cinemas on Beech Street will remain open. A key focus of the project is a major improvement in accessibility. Plans include new lifts and stairs in the Conservatory, providing public access to its raised balconies for the first time. A second lift in the main foyer will significantly improve step-free access to the Concert Hall and Theatre. The iconic Conservatory, currently only 30% accessible, will see significant changes, including a new climate-control system to protect the plant life. The sustainable overhaul will reuse original materials like Conservatory glass and pavers to reduce the building's carbon footprint. The City of London Corporation has committed £191 million of the £231 million needed for the first phase of the project. The remainder is set to be raised through philanthropic partnerships and fundraising campaigns. Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, the Barbican was built at a cost of £161 million on a site heavily bombed during World War II. The Queen lauded it as "one of the wonders of the modern world," though public opinion has been divided, with the building once voted "London's ugliest building" in a 2003 poll.
