Having just completed stone restoration of Elizabeth Tower (the Big Ben clock tower at the Houses of Parliament), DBR announces it has won the contract to undertake restoration work on the historic Crystal Palace Subway.
The London Borough of Bromley’s Executive has award the work to the conservation specialists following the assessment of applications for the work by a panel that included Historic England and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway.
The work on the Grade II* listed subway is estimated at £3.2million. The project will involve rebuilding existing walls and the construction of new parapet walls and a roof structure.
The proposed new roof will be visible from Crystal Palace Parade, with the subway exterior being made from glass and stainless steel and the gable enclosed with Corten steel.
Adrian Attwood, Executive Director at DBR Ltd, says: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract for this important project and are now eager to commence on site.”
Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation & Housing in Bromley, says: “I’m 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’s 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.”
Helping to meet the cost of the work are grants of £2.34million from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot and £639,000 from Historic England. Contributions are also coming from the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway.
Simon Buteux, Partnerships Team Leader at Historic England, says: “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.”
The subway opened in 1865. It is located on the edge of Crystal Palace Park under Crystal palace Parade. It is one of the last remaining original Crystal Palace structures and is sufficiently admired by the local community to have attracted the formation of its own Friends group.
A spokesperson for the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, says: “After more than 10 years of working with the community, businesses and amazing volunteers, it’s fantastic to reach this next milestone in an exciting project. It has been a rewarding experience collaborating with Bromley Council on this project and we look forward to being able to use the magnificent subway again [following the completion of the work].”
A planning application covering restoration works to small parts of the subway that lie within the London Borough of Southwark has also been submitted to the council.