Holborn Bars

Prudential Assurance Building, 142 Holborn, Camden

Holborn Bars, also known as the Prudential Assurance Building is a large red terracotta Victorian building on the north side (138–142) of Holborn in Camden at the boundary of the City of London, England.

Building

Located close to the Holborn Bar city boundary of the City of London it was built on the site of the former Furnival's Inn building of the Inns of Chancery. Designed in Gothic Revival style for the Prudential Assurance Society in phases between 1885 and 1901 by architects Alfred Waterhouse and his son Paul Waterhouse and modified 1930–32 by E. M. Joseph,[1] who introduced Art Deco features.[2] It was expanded again in 1993 by EPR Architects to a floor area of 34,931 square metres.[2]

The block is bounded by Holborn to the south, Brooke Street to the west, Leather Lane to the east and Beauchamp Street to the north.

The building featured a library, restaurant, chapel, hall, rooftop promenade and a women's entrance.[2] It was electrically lit and featured hot running water.[2]

Waterhouse Square, surrounded by the Prudential Assurance building

The complex encloses a courtyard, Waterhouse Square, named after the original architect, who also designed the Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall.

The building was listed Grade II* on 3 March 1972.[1][3]

Current usage

Prudential moved out of the building in 1999 but retained ownership of it.[2] It is currently occupied by De Vere Venues and also the London office of English Heritage at 1 Waterhouse Square.


1–4 Holborn Bars

It is not to be confused with 1–4 Holborn Bars, a Grade I listed Tudor inn complex whose restoration was funded by the Prudential Assurance Society on the south side of Holborn.[4]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Holborn Bars, London.
  1. 1 2 Historic England. "Prudential Assurance Building  (Grade II*) (1379064)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Holborn Bars". Skyscrapernews.com. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  3. ↑ Historic England. "Prudential Assurance Building (Grade II*) (478430)". Images of England.
  4. ↑ Historic England. "1–4 Holborne Bars  (Grade I) (1246103)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 June 2014.

Coordinates: 51°31′07″N 0°06′35″W / 51.5187°N 0.1098°W / 51.5187; -0.1098

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