New 55 Broadway Friends’ visit

This Visit is now Fully Booked

 

55 Broadway Friends’ visit

At short notice, the Friends have arranged another special visit to 55 Broadway which is likely to be last time it can be seen in its present state

There will be a choice of two time slots on Wednesday 30th October, at 12:00 noon or 13:30

55 Broadway is a Grade I listed building close to St James's Park in London. Upon completion, it was the tallest office block in London. In 1931 the building earned architect Charles Holden the RIBA London Architecture Medal. In 2020, it was announced that the building will be converted to a luxury hotel.

As the building is still in use by external clients, what exactly the tour includes will be determined on the day; but should include the 7th floor executive suites (including the former Chairman's office) and the higher floors, not normally accessible, which have excellent views over London.

Some notable features of the building include:

• Charles Holden's iconic art deco 1929 building.
• Built as the HQ for the Underground Electric Railway Company
• Used as LT and TfL HQ for over 70 years
• Grade 1 listed for its external and internal features
• For a many years London's tallest non ecclesiastical building and dubbed London's first skyscraper
• Sold on a long lease just before Covid for conversion into a hotel
• Those plans now being revived, so this is possibly your last chance to see the building in its present guise.

Please Note that access to the highest floors involves negotiating steep, narrow staircases.

Applications will be accepted on a first come/first served basis with preference give to those who applied but were unable to secure a place back in April.

There will be a charge of £10 per person to cover administrative costs. If your application is accepted, you will be sent details of how to pay (by on-line banking transaction to the LTMF CAF account or by cheque).

 

55 Broadway stands today as a powerful reminder of the contribution made by London transport companies to innovate 20^th century design. Commissioned as a new headquarters of the Underground Group and completed in 1929, the building was London’s first skyscraper. Awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects London Architecture Medal the same year, it embodied the values and vision of Lord Ashfield and Frank Pick, who went on to establish London Transport in the 1930s. The building’s exterior features sculptures by some of the most celebrated and controversial artists of the day and the pioneering design, now Grade 1 listed, has proved a fitting home for London Transport and Transport for London (TfL) – organisations that have been at the heart of the Capital’s economic growth and development over almost 90 years.