Holborn Dome Approved: City Office Scheme Nods to Knights Templar Past
A 10-storey office and community development inspired by the legacy of the Knights Templar has been given the green light at High Holborn. The City of London Corporation voted decisively (18–1) in favour of replacing Holborn Gate, Heron House, and 44 Southampton Buildings with a new mixed-use scheme, delivering thousands of jobs and a distinctive new public venue.
The approved site will provide more than 50,000 square metres of office and community space, including a 300-seat auditorium known as the Holborn Dome, designed as a nod to the Knights Templar Church that once stood nearby. The flexible venue is expected to host exhibitions, performances, and public gatherings, offering a rare cultural hub in a predominantly commercial district.
The development is designed to achieve high environmental performance standards and is set to deliver 1.5% of the Grade A office floorspace needed to meet projected growth in the capital’s financial and professional services sectors. In practical terms, this equates to over 3,000 new jobs, strengthening the City’s standing as a global centre of commerce.
According to the planning committee, the project’s design, shaped through close collaboration with the applicant, offers a sophisticated and contextually sensitive architectural upgrade to the area. It will include affordable workspace at 50% of market rent, with particular focus on the creative industries.
The site’s public realm will also see significant improvement. A remodelled pocket park, enhanced walking routes, new public toilets, and a water fountain are all planned, adding to the City’s ongoing efforts to improve accessibility and quality of life. These changes align with broader initiatives such as the City of London’s Destination City strategy, which seeks to make the Square Mile more liveable and culturally vibrant.
Chairman of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Tom Sleigh, said:
“This is exactly the kind of scheme we want to see more of in the Square Mile – best-in-class office space that keeps London globally competitive, while also delivering public spaces that everyone can enjoy. I’m particularly pleased by the retention of references to the Knights Templar, a brilliant way to connect the new venue with the history of the site.”
The dome, situated close to the historic Temple Church, reinforces a unique connection between the development and London’s medieval past, offering a subtle but meaningful architectural tribute.
Construction timelines have not yet been confirmed, but the approval marks a key step in delivering a project that merges economic ambition with cultural memory, and opens up new space for creativity in the heart of the City.
For more stories on how London’s past is shaping its future, from bold new builds to hidden histories, visit EyeOnLondon City. We cover the developments that matter, the design shaping the Square Mile, and the heritage threads that run beneath it all. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the new Holborn Dome – share your views in the comments below
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