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From finance workers and skyscrapers to concert halls and a new Museum of London; the web of streets between Farringdon and Moorgate is set to become London's next cultural hub. However, that is all set to change as it is to be reimagined into a new cultural hub. Over the next 10 to 15 years, the City of London Corporation, along with four leading UK arts institutions – Barbican, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London Symphony Orchestra and Museum of London – will transform part of the Square Mile into the Culture Mile. On the doorstep of Shoreditch, Culture Mile will be a destination for music, drama, dance, art, pop-ups and events that will rival the museum-lined streets of South Kensington and the bright theatre lights of the West End. Once complete, the City streets with be as much abuzz with culture enthusiasts at the weekend, as they are with suits during the working week. Already an area loaded with history and a foodie hotspot, Culture Mile will add yet another string to Shoreditch’s bow as one of the most exciting areas of London to live.

The new Museum of London at Smithfield in Farringdon, set to open in May 2022, and the London Symphony Orchestra’s proposed Centre for Music, will be two cornerstones of this project. Beech Street, the ghostly tunnel that runs under the Barbican, will also be a key axis for Culture Mile. It’s dark and dusty units will be revamped into a more welcoming environment and could become home to a line-up of exciting retail outlets.

Improved accessibility

Major infrastructure changes that will make this part of London more accessible than ever before are a driving force behind this ambitious project. The opening of the new Elizabeth line in December 2018 is expected to bring an additional 1.5m visitors a year to London. Farrington will be the crossroad between London Underground, Thameslink and Crossrail, making it one of the busiest and most connected stations in the UK.

Bicycle lanes and signage will also be improved to create a safer environment and better guide visitors.

Benefits for local residents

The City is now home to a dynamic and growing community of city workers, entrepreneurs, families and students. It is a no longer purely a place for work; the area has experienced a renaissance over the past few years, welcoming a wave of new homes, hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and pop-ups.

Culture Mile will further enhance the City as a great place to live and residents at The Atlas Building will have this vibrant cultural hub right on their doorstep. The new Museum of London will be less than 20 minutes’ walk away, they can wander leisurely down to Guildhall for an evening of live music and the many pop-ups planned by the team behind Culture Mile means they will be spoilt for choice for things to do at the weekend.

The City is the historic heart of London and continues to evolve, blending old and new into a unique mix of heritage and innovation. This vast project will turn the Square Mile into a world-renowned cultural and creative destination that will honour the rich culture hidden amongst its towers.