Barbican to close for 12 months for renovation

Barbican is set to close in June 2028 for a 12-month renovation period.

The arts centre’s music venue, conservatory and visual arts galleries will be shut while cinemas on Beech Street will stay open during the year-long closure, as the Guardian reports.

The closure is part of a multimillion-pound five-year renovation project that will begin in 2027 to refresh the Grade II-listed building in the run-up to its 50th anniversary in 2032.

The City of London Corporation have already approved a £119 million funding package, which covers about 80% of the costs of the five-year plan and will support “critical repairs and upgrades”.

A fundraising campaign is being launched to pay for the renovation of “key public spaces”, including the foyers, lakeside terrace, and conservatory, which form part of the first phase of the works, due to be completed in 2030.

Philippa Simpson, the Barbican’s director for buildings and renewal, described the renovation project as “a defining moment for the Barbican”.

“Today’s approval gives us the confidence and certainty we need to deliver essential upgrades for generations to come,” she said.

“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.”

Earlier this year, the Barbican transformed its car park into a temporary club space for the Feel the Sound exhibition. It also hosted Rebel Radio, an event series exploring the importance of Britain’s pirate radio stations. 

In 2024, the Barbican hosted a takeover by Jamz Supernova’s Future Bounce and an “orchestral celebration of UK bass music” with the Guildhall Session Orchestra and Raiser.