The Barbican in London to close for a year for refurbishment
The Barbican, the arts and culture venue complex in London, will be closed for a year to undergo a £191m renovation.
The Barbican is one of the most iconic cultural venues in London since it opened in 1982 and is the home of the London Symphony Orchestra. It will close from June 2028 until June 2029.
Ahead of its 50th anniversary, there have been big plans in the works to upgrade The Barbican and ensure it lasts another 50 years.
Philippa Simpson, the director of buildings and renewal at the Barbican, spoke to The Guardian. She said, “If we want it for another 50, then you’ve got to rip the plaster off and do it now and let it thrive for the next 50 and not just limp along,” and noted that the work will also reduce the Barbican’s carbon use by 40%.
The Barbican is known for its brutalist post-war architecture, its residential development, but also for being a beloved arts and culture hub, home to theatres, cinemas, galleries, as well as a concert hall.
Additionally, in an interview with the BBC, Simpson said of the decision: “This is a defining moment for the Barbican.”
Simpson continued, “Today’s approval gives us the confidence and certainty we need to deliver essential upgrades for generations to come. The Barbican rose from the ruins of a bombsite nearly 50 years ago, and in summer 2029 we will embrace that same spirit of optimism – renewed, revitalised, and ready for the future.”
It has not been made clear what will happen to the current 400 Barbican staff.
The organisation did not rule out redundancies, saying all options were being considered, with secondments at the City of London Corporation raised as another potential option.
The main Barbican site will close its doors for one full year and reopen in June 2029, but some disruption may happen earlier as the foyer, lakeside area and internal control room are all renovated.
The conservatory, which is currently open only for certain hours on weekends and currently has netting to stop falling glass, will close in 2027.
