The Crystal Palace Subway will undergo a £3.2m restoration project.

The Grade II* listed site, built in 1865, will have its walls rebuilt and a new roof over the courtyard will be installed.

Hailing the subway “a Victorian treasure”, a spokesperson for Bromley Council announced this week that a contract for the project had been awarded to DBR Limited.

The new roof will be visible from the Crystal Palace Parade and the subway’s exterior will be constructed from glass and stainless steel.

The restoration works will also see new parapet walls erected in the Victorian subway.

Conservation specialists DBR Limited have more than 30 years’ experience in similar projects and their work will begin soon.

Crystal Palace Subway sits on the edge of Crystal Palace Park and is one of the area’s last remaining original structures.

It is so loved by the community that a local group was founded in its honour.

News Shopper:

Named the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, the group has worked alongside the Council to secure the restoration project and bring the subway back to life.

Restoration works will be carefully considered to ensure the subway’s character remains intact while ensuring the site is also accessible to the public.

Councillor Peter Morgan, Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said: “I am delighted to see the essential restoration of this marvellous Victorian treasure progressing and thank our valued partners for their support in reaching this stage.

“It is amazing to think that this elegant subway helped visitors to the great Crystal Palace stay dry all those years ago and remains a breath-taking structure that we are now pleased to bring back to life to enable more people to enjoy for many years to come.

“The restoration works will see the repair of the Victorian subway, including the rebuilding of existing walls, construction of new parapet walls, and a roof structure.

“The proposed new roof will be visible from Crystal Palace Parade, with the subway exterior being made from glass and stainless steel, and the gable enclosed with Corten steel.”

Adrian Attwood, Executive Director at DBR Limited, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract for this important project and are now eager to commence on site.

“As conservation specialists with over 30 years’ experience, we will be undertaking this conservation with the utmost care, so this impressive structure is fit for the 21st Century.”

Simon Buteux, Partnerships Team Leader at Historic England, said: “It is incredibly important that this structure of such local and historic importance is preserved, and we are delighted to have been able to support this restoration, both with specialist advice and funding.

“These works have been carefully considered to ensure the essence of the Subway is maintained while allowing the venue to again be used by the local community.”

A spokesperson for the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway, said: "After over 10 years of working with the community, businesses and amazing volunteers it is fantastic to reach this next milestone in an exciting project.

“It has been a rewarding experience collaborating with Bromley Council on this project and we look forward to being able to use the magnificent subway again following its completion.”

A Bromley Council spokesperson said: “Restoration works on the historic Crystal Palace Subway can soon begin after the contract was awarded to conservation specialists.

“The contract to restore the Grade II* listed subway has been awarded to DBR Limited following the recent Executive decision, with valued partners Historic England and the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway sitting on the panel that assessed the applicants.

“The restoration works, estimated at £3.2m, will include rebuilding existing walls and the construction of a new roof over the courtyard.

“The estimated £3.2m cost of restoring the Subway follows successful grant allocations of £2.34m from the City of London Strategic Investment Pot and an additional £639k from Historic England.

“Contributions to the works are also coming from the Friends of Crystal Palace Subway.

“The subway first opened in 1865 and is located to the edge of Crystal Palace Park under the Crystal palace Parade and is one of the last original Crystal Palace structures and is much loved by the community, with its own dedicated Friends’ group.”

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.