Tucked beneath the concrete sprawl of the Barbican, one of London’s most iconic and divisive landmarks, lies a secret world that even many lifelong Londoners have never seen.
Hidden for nearly 30 years, the vast exhibition halls beneath the Barbican Centre are poised to step back into the spotlight as part of a major renewal project.
Exhibition halls beneath the Barbican Centre
These cavernous, little-known spaces, once alive with trade fairs and exhibitions, have been sealed off and silent since the 1990s, their existence fading into urban legend for a generation of city dwellers.
These two enormous, disused exhibition halls spanning around 9,500 square metres, or the size of 36 tennis courts were originally built for commercial events but have sat dormant since 2010, when noise complaints from residents above led to their closure. While part of Exhibition Hall A has since been transformed into cinemas and a restaurant, Exhibition Hall B remains untouched and unused.
The Barbican renewal project
Now, the Barbican Centre is actively seeking creative proposals from organisations across the arts, commercial, and civic sectors to reimagine these spaces for public benefit. Ideas for both temporary “meanwhile” uses and long-term partnerships are being welcomed, with the halls expected to be available for redevelopment from 2028 – almost 30 years after their closure.
Philippa Simpson, Director for Buildings and Renewal, describes the project as “an unparalleled opportunity to shape the creative and commercial future of the Capital,” emphasising the Barbican’s central role in London’s cultural life and the potential for these unique spaces to draw new audiences to the Square Mile.
The reopening of these hidden halls forms part of a wider, multi-million pound renewal of the Barbican Centre, which aims to restore and revitalise the iconic brutalist landmark for future generations, unlocking underused areas and ensuring the site remains inclusive, sustainable, and relevant as it approaches its 50th anniversary.