London’s Kingsway Exchange tunnels are one step closer to becoming a unique cultural experience after the plans were approved by the City of London.
The City of London Corporation’s planning and transportation committee approved the proposals on Tuesday (11 June).
The mile-long underground tunnels under High Holborn, originally built in the 1940s to shelter Londoners during the World War II Blitz, would be restored and opened to the public for the first time.
Per a press release, buildings at 38-41 Furnival Street would be merged into one structure. The ground floor will be used as the main entrance to a permanent experience and a temporary space for exhibitions.
As the site crosses over the boundary to Camden, the plans will also need to be approved by the local authority before the redevelopment works can start. An underground bar would be located on the Camden side of the site.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s planning and transportation committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “I am incredibly excited by these plans and hope that LB 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.”
Located 40 metres underground, the tunnels were kept secret for nearly 70 years as part of the UK government’s Official Secrets Act.
If the plans are approved by Camden Council, architecture studio WilkinsonEyre will turn the tunnels into an immersive experience using high-resolution screens, interactive structures, scent-emitting technology and hundreds of individual acoustic pinpoint speakers.
“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,” Joshi said.
