22 Jan Interesting Vaults #4
The former HSBC Bank located opposite Threadneedle Street (right in the heart of the capitals financial district) is to be converted to a luxury Hotel.
Work on the original building was completed for the Midland Bank in 1937 under the watchful eye of architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (who has been described as Britains greatest architect).
The building continued as the Midland Banks flagship presence in London until the bank was taken over by the Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in 1992.
The vault located in the basement building will be recognisable to any James Bond fan, as the Fort Knox scenes in the James Bond film Goldfinger were filmed here in the centre of London. In the plans to turn the building into a hotel, the vault will become a below ground bar. Given that the new hotel will be open to the public, we are sure this new bar area will become a popular tourist attraction.