By The newspaper
Sep 27, 2023, 9:06 PM EDT
London’s Kingsway Exchange tunnels, a relic of World War II and Cold War history, are being reinvented as a tourist destination, with “immersive experiences”.
In the new attraction, you can explore these tunnels, from their function as a refuge in times of war to hosting secret operations, in addition to learning about the iconic “hot line” that connected the leaders of the United States and the USSR, according to a CNN article.
A team of London architects unveiled a $268 million project to renovate the mile-long World War II network.
These tunnels, once so secret that they were protected by the UK’s Official Secrets Act, are now on track for a major transformation, pending planning approval this autumn.
We’re revealing plans to open The London Tunnels, the mile-long underground WWII shelters in London that inspired James Bond’s Q Branch. Subject to planning approval, the vision is to transform the tunnels into a unique cultural experiencehttps://t.co/zhd8iJ8vR8 pic.twitter.com/KmHYoL9D0g
— WilkinsonEyre (@WilkinsonEyre) September 26, 2023
From espionage to the telephone exchange
Located around 40 meters below Chancery Lane tube station in High Holborn, the Kingsway Exchange tunnels were initially built in the 1940s as a refuge for Londoners during the Blitz bombing campaign of the Second World War.
Following this wartime role, they became the headquarters of Britain’s top-secret Special Operations Executive, a branch of MI6 and an inspiration for James Bond’s Q Branch.
The tunnels later evolved into the Kingsway telephone exchange, which functioned as a vital internal communications center during the Cold War.
In particular, they housed the “hot line” that directly connected the leaders of the United States and the USSR. The exchange had an extensive network of 5,000 trunk cables and a lively community of 200 telephone line operators.
In the 1980s, British Telecom took control of the site and turned it into the world’s deepest licensed bar, replete with a games room with pool tables and a tropical fish tank, an epitome of ’80s luxury.
Today, fund manager Angus Murray, chief executive of The London Tunnels, predicts a historic resurgence of the tunnels. Plans include immersive high-resolution displays, interactive structures, scent-emitting technology and hundreds of precise speakers to bring the tunnels’ rich history to life for visitors.
Murray expressed his vision, stating: “The history of the tunnels, their scale and the location between London’s Holborn and the historic Square Mile could make these tunnels one of London’s most popular tourist destinations.”
The restoration effort will involve an investment of $170.5 million, followed by an additional $97 million for immersive improvements.
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