A combination of factors including a lack of space and a growing workforce meant a larger building was required for Bank operations by the early twentieth century. Undertaken in stages, the building at Threadneedle Street was demolished and rebuilt over a period of nearly two decades, with the outer façade being the only part of the building to remain from Sir John Soane’s renowned design.
Taken on 29 July 1926 at an early stage in the rebuilding work, this photograph shows the extension demolition with the old façade still standing. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/11, 29 July 1926)
An interior shot of the Soane Hall looking eastwards taken in the early stages of the demolition and rebuilding work. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/38, 27 August 1927)
Taken from the roof of the Royal Exchange situated at Bank junction, this photograph looks towards the front courtyard of the Bank of England during demolition in 1927. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/32, 29 October 1927)
In 1795, twelve ‘caryatids’ based on those of Erechtheion were ordered by Soane for the dome of his Rotunda. They were made of patent stone at Mrs Coade’s manufactory and cost £200. During the rebuilding work, the caryatids were removed from the dome and can now be found in the Museum’s rotunda. (Archive 15A13/1/3/25, c. 1920s)
The south side of the inner of the Threadneedle Street entrance during the rebuilding works, with workers’ clothes and bags hanging in the background. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/78 (2), 11 April 1931)
Taken in January 1935 towards the end of the rebuilding work, this photograph shows the scale of the steel construction of the new Bank of England building at Lothbury, Tivoli Corner and Princes Street. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/125, 12 January 1935)
An exterior view of the dome and lantern of the Sub-Treasury following completion. The statue of Ariel can be seen on the top. Named after Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, Ariel had ‘magic invisible spirit’ according to architect Herbert Baker and represented ‘the ethereality of market credit and paper money.’ (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/162, February 1938; Source ‘Building the Bank of England – Money, Architecture, Society, 1694-1942’ by Daniel Abramson)
This photograph was shot from the Bartholomew Lane entrance of the Bank and shows the machinery used, and the extent of the rebuilding work during the mid-1920s. (Archive 15A13/1/3/2/10, 26 June 1926)
This aerial photograph looks down towards the south east corner of the Bank of England during its rebuilding. It overlooks the top of the wall that runs along Bartholomew Lane, whilst the Royal Exchange and 1 Cornhill at Bank junction can be seen in the distance. (Archive 15A13/1/3/49 (1), April 1927)
This page was last updated 17 February 2023