Crystal Palace Subway Restoration Takes Step Forward
Restoration of the historic Grade II* listed Crystal Palace Subway will soon begin as planning permission has been granted by Bromley Council, and the contract for repairs awarded to conservation specialists.
DBR Limited will lead the project that will include rebuilding existing walls and the construction of a new roof over the courtyard. This work represents a significant step towards removing the subway from the Heritage at Risk Register.
It is incredibly important that this structure of such local and historic importance is preserved, and we are delighted to have been able to support this restoration, both with specialist advice and funding. These works have been carefully considered to ensure the essence of the Subway is maintained while allowing the venue to again be used by the local community.
Restoration plans for the Subway follows successful grant allocations of £2.34m from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot and an additional £639,000 from Historic England. Contributions to the works are also coming from the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway.
I am delighted to see the essential restoration of this marvellous Victorian treasure progressing and thank our valued partners for their support in reaching this stage. It is amazing to think that this elegant subway helped visitors to the great Crystal Palace stay dry all those years ago and remains a breath-taking structure that we are now pleased to bring back to life to enable more people to enjoy for many years to come.
The much-loved subway first opened in 1865 and is located to the edge of Crystal Palace Park, which itself is protected as a Registered Park & Garden at Grade II*.
The Subway was designed by Charles Barry Junior and it provided a direct link from his High Level Station (demolished 1961) into the Crystal Palace via a ticketing hall.
It is one of the last remaining structures from the ill-fated Crystal Palace from when the main building was relocated to South London, from Hyde Park, in 1854.
