Submitted by Adam Baggs
The City of London Corporation has approved a £191 million funding package to support critical repairs and upgrades to the iconic Barbican Centre.
Elected members of the General Assembly Court, the municipality’s highest decision-making body, agreed to the move on Thursday 5 December.
The scheme will fund the first phase of the Barbican Renewal Plan, a five-year engineering project designed to secure the future of this internationally renowned Grade II listed arts conference and events centre.
The Barbican Center was opened in 1982 by Her Majesty the Queen, who called it “one of the wonders of the modern world”. Future works will secure its future as a leading arts venue by bringing it fit for the 21st century by improving accessibility and energy efficiency.
The scheme is one of several transformative projects being delivered by the City of London Corporation, including the Salisbury Square development, which will house the new City of London Police headquarters and multi-courts complex, and the new City of London police headquarters in West Smithfield of the New London Museum. The Barbican Renewal Plan is a key component of Destination City, the City Corporation’s strategy to develop the Square Mile as a world-leading place for business, culture, events and leisure.
The council’s £191m contribution represents around 80% of the amount needed for the first five-year phase of the Barbican’s long-term renewal plan.
The Barbican Center will launch a major fundraising campaign in 2025 to fully restore and refurbish the venue’s main public spaces. This included upgrading its unique Brutalist foyer, lakeside terrace and conservatory – the largest in central London.
Funds raised will open these prestigious spaces to all, launch significant new creative community and learning activities, provide improved facilities for meetings and events, and make significant sustainability improvements to ensure net zero commitments are met.
As one of the world’s leading diverse arts and conference venues, the Barbican Center has been showcasing groundbreaking art and events from around the world for more than four decades.
It reaches 1.5 million people every year and its initiatives are designed to ensure that as many people as possible can experience the power of the arts.
The project will carefully preserve the complex, respecting its Grade II listed status and the original architectural vision of an arts and conference center that is more than 40 years old. Built between 1971 and 1982, the Barbican Center relied on old and outdated systems and required an ambitious restoration program.
Chris Hayward, policy chair at City Corporation, said: “The Barbican is a fantastic international venue with an exciting future. This funding underlines our support and recognizes its role as a leading cultural venue Its unique role as an institution and driver of economic growth, contributing £86 million to the UK economy each year and supporting around 1,100 jobs in London.
“The Barbican Center is at the heart of the Square Mile’s cultural identity and plays a key role in our attractiveness as a place to work and visit.”
Sir William Russell, Chairman of the Board of Directors of City Corporation’s Barbican Centre, said: “Now is a critical time to help shape a compelling and extraordinary organization that builds on decades of excellence and achievement ’s future.”
Jackie Boughton, commercial director at the Barbican Centre, added: “This decision marks a transformative moment for the Barbican Center and its ability to host world-class conferences and events. This investment will ensure our facilities remain at the forefront of the industry, providing us with It is a testament to the Barbican Center’s vital role as a leading destination for culture, business and collaboration that I am delighted to see. A bold move that secures its future.”
Welcoming the news, Kathryn McDowell, managing director of the Barbican’s resident orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, said: “This decision is great news and enables important work to be carried out at the Barbican Centre. Protecting the future of such an iconic, important and internationally renowned cultural site is vital.”
Welcoming the news, long-term Barbican supporter Sir Howard Painter, co-chief executive and creative director of Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “As an enthusiastic supporter of the Barbican, I would like to thank all those responsible for ensuring more It’s a truly wonderful venue for everyone to attend its events for many more years and I will be keeping a close eye on the redevelopment as plans begin to take shape.”
The Barbican renewal scheme design process, led by Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold, has already involved extensive public consultation and is seeking feedback and ideas from the public and stakeholders, and will enter a new, more detailed consultation phase . Starting early next year.
Subject to planning permission, construction will begin in 2027, with the first phase completed in time for the Barbican Centre’s 50th anniversary in 2032.
The City Corporation is one of the UK’s largest funders of heritage and cultural events, investing over £130 million each year. The organization manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions including the Barbican Centre, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Library, London Archives and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.
About Barbican Business Events
The Barbican Center is one of the world’s leading conference and international arts venues. Located in the City of London, the conference center can accommodate meetings between 10 and 2,000 delegates in its fully equipped concert hall, theatre, conference and boardrooms. The Barbican Business Events Center brings together the venue’s expertise in arts and corporate meetings.
The Barbican Center is part of the Barbican Center development in London. It was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in March 1982. Unlike many other venues, the Barbican Center was purpose-built for the dual purpose of hosting conferences and arts events. , showcasing a variety of art, music, drama, dance, film and creative learning.
The Barbican’s business events team contribute to the venue’s future success. To capitalize on the Barbican’s rich culture and heritage, the Barbican Business Events Center brings together their expertise in three different areas – arts, creative learning and corporate business. This approach to corporate events is based on stronger, deeper partnerships with the arts, creative learning and development teams to bring more creativity and rich content to events.
About the Barbican Center
The Barbican is a catalyst for creativity, inspiring possibility for artists, audiences and communities. We showcase the most exciting art from around the world, pushing the boundaries of traditional art to entertain and inspire millions, build connections, spark debate and reflect the world we live in.
We are an international arts and events center firmly rooted in our own communities, working with local communities to promote the City of London as a destination for everyone. Our core purpose is to support emerging talent and create opportunities to accelerate the next generation of creatives.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations, including our main funder, the City of London Corporation. Every ticket purchased, donation made and pound earned supports our arts and learning programme, allowing as many people as possible to experience the joy of the arts.
Opened in 1982, the Barbican Center is a unique and bold building that is a globally recognized architectural icon. As well as theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, we have a large greenhouse with over 1,500 plants and trees, a library, conference facilities, public and community spaces, restaurants, bars and a picturesque lakeside oasis.
For more information, visit our website or connect with us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | LinkedIn
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.