The City of London Corporation has approved plans to convert a series of deep-level subterranean wartime shelter tunnels under High Holborn into a major new visitor and cultural attraction.
Under the proposals, the buildings at 38-41 Furnival Street will be combined into a single structure, with the ground floor used as the main entrance to both a permanent ‘Heritage Experience’, as well as a temporary cultural space for various exhibitions.
The plans also include an underground bar, which is located in the London Borough of Camden. As the site spreads across the shared boundary with Camden the plans also require the approval of the local authority before redevelopment works can commence.
Shravan Joshi, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s planning and transportation committee, said: “I am incredibly excited by these plans and hope that the London Borough of Camden feels the same way. At the City of London, we are delivering a thriving, sustainable Square Mile, through a combination of business growth and celebration of our local heritage. The new and exciting heritage, arts and culture activity that this scheme has the potential to deliver, will enliven the local streets and venues.
“As we work to transform the Square Mile into a seven-day-a-week destination, developments like the one proposed for the Kingsway Tunnel site will become global attractions for a variety of visitors, which are projected to rise substantially.”
