A century ago, the wrecking ball tore through the halls, courtyards, arches, and domes of one of London’s most beloved buildings, an act that architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner called “the greatest architectural crime” of the 20th century. The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street, as the Bank of England is affectionately known, has been at the heart of the City of London since its inception in 1734. Over the years, it has been renovated and extended, including notable changes after the Gordon riots of 1780, when the Bank expanded towards the west after the nearby church was demolished. The building by architect Sir John Soane, marked by neo-classical splendor, stood until the 1920s, when it was largely replaced.
Today, the only part of Soane’s original design still standing is the grand curtain wall. The Bank of England Museum is now showcasing an exhibition titled “Building the Bank – 100 Years On,” which offers a glimpse into what has been lost and celebrates the impressive new design by Sir Herbert Baker that began to rise a century ago. This showcase includes unpublished images by architect Francis Yerbury, depicting the construction amid the wreckage and the emergence of Baker’s new design.
With experience in South Africa and India, Baker designed the new Bank of England to embody “strength, permanence, and reliability.” His building, made of Portland stone and completed on the eve of World War II, included various artworks and symbolic flourishes celebrating British heritage. Despite the controversy over replacing Soane’s work, Baker’s Bank remains a significant landmark in London. The exhibition features objects from the time, including Roman archaeological finds from the site, as well as surviving artifacts and artwork from the original Bank. Visitors can also see the museum’s replica of the Bartholomew Lane entrance and a reproduction of Soane’s Stock Office from 1792. The exhibition, which runs from September 16 to next spring, celebrates the architectural wealth and history of the Bank of England.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/29/bank-of-england-lost-splendours-sir-john-soane-building
