There are at least four drivers of change for Farringdon and south Clerkenwell - two immediate and two longer-term.
Most immediately, in 2022 Crossrail makes the area the best connected in London. At the same time the City of London’s Culture Mile initiative offers a wide range of events and creative projects - together with immediate physical developments through its Look and Feel strategy.
Longer-term, the Museum of London is moving to a new site in old Smithfield Market buildings, and the meat market is due to relocate to Dagenham. There are creative plans for the 1870s listed buildings.
The Elizabeth Line
They say: When the Elizabeth line opens, Farringdon station will be one of the busiest in the UK, connecting with Thameslink and the London Underground to provide links with outer London, the home counties, the City, Canary Wharf and three of London’s five airports. More about +Elizabeth Line
Culture Mile activities
The City of London’s Culture Mile initiative is co-ordinating arts and entertainment and in a range of venues from Farringdon to Moorgate, and supporting community projects.
They say: Culture Mile is a new home for contemporary culture in the ancient heart of London’s working capital. The City of London Corporation, together with the Barbican, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London, are bringing the area to life with imaginative collaborations and exciting events. More about +Culture Mile
Culture Mile Look and Feel
Public spaces along the Culture Mile will be enhanced through a Look and Feel strategy.
They say: The key recommendations include the essential improvement of Beech Street, new public space around the new Museum of London at West Smithfield, making Moor Lane an urban oasis where visitors can pause and relax.More about +Look and Feel
Longer term the New Museum for London will create a world-class attraction in the currently derelict western Smithfield Market Buildings.
They say: We have embarked on an extraordinary journey to create a new museum for London. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-conceive what a museum for London can be. More about +Museum for London
The main buildings will host a wide range of new uses once the meat market moves to Dagenham. They say: Our vision is to re-imagine this nationally significant landmark and secure the legacy of the Grade II* listed East and West Smithfield buildings and the Grade II Rotunda as the heart of a thriving and inclusive London.(Wholesale Markets site.) More about +Smithfield Market development
The changes in prospect