City of Westminster (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A theatre company has submitted plans for an eco-friendly “pop-up” venue made from recycled fabric and timber on the Marble Arch island in Westminster.
Permission is being sought to use part of the renowned roundabout as a theatre event space to be operated by Hartshorn-Hook Productions Ltd as a temporary home for The Arts Theatre, a historic West End theatre it runs, according to a planning proposal before Westminster City Council.
The venue may accommodate 500 theatergoers from January 26, 2026, to March 2028, if approved. The structure is anticipated to be ten meters high, with an aluminum frame covered in a lightweight covering composed of strips of recycled fabric.
The building’s base is anticipated to be made of reclaimed lumber boards that have been dyed or whitewashed, and the strips will be green. The paved courtyard south of Marble Arch will serve as the entryway.
Inside, there will be a small bar in the middle and a foyer that spans the entire width of the rectangular structure. At the western end of the structure, the stage will be encircled on three sides by shipping containers that will be converted into offices, dressing rooms, and restrooms.
The application states that the venue will be open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight, with different concert schedules.
Westminster City, local companies, and residential amenity organizations support the project. While Transport for London stated they had no objections as long as a supply and service plan and a construction logistics plan were devised, the Met Police and the Royal Parks are holding off on responding until the planning meeting.
According to Historic England, the temporary construction would
“detract from the dominance of the arch,”
and the negative effects would be exacerbated by lighting and conspicuous lettering.
“The temporary building would generally be at odds with the formal, ceremonial character of the arch’s designed setting,”
the body said.
Still, the design is anticipated to be approved by Westminster City Council when its planning commission convenes on Tuesday, December 9. According to the council, since 2000, the grassy area has been the location of several flash public art exhibits as well as a temporary theater and ice rink.
The council wrote:
“The scale and prominence of the proposed temporary theatre mean that it will cause some harm to the setting of the Marble Arch for a more usually acceptable period, and the Arch and its landscape gain no public benefit from the proposal.
However, there are wider public benefits in terms of supporting the West End economy and providing a temporary home for the theatre while its own premises are undergoing building work.”
The location is designated as Metropolitan Open Land, which is the same level of protection as Green Belt land for open spaces in London that are strategically significant to the city. The Marble Arch Mound was located there from July 2021 to January 2022.
In 2026, the Arts Theatre on Great Newport Street will close for a 24-month renovation. December 31, 2025, will mark its last performance.
What concerns has Historic England raised about the proposal?
Major England raised enterprises that the proposed eco-friendly pop- up theatre on Marble Arch islet could abstract from the significance and setting of the Grade I- listed Marble Arch monument. Specifically, the temporary structure’s scale( 10m high), lighting, and signage might harm the iconic corner’s visual and literal significance in its prominent position.
The structure’s height and form could contend with or obscure views of Marble Arch, undermining its elevation as a crucial heritage asset. illumined rudiments at night might produce light or distraction, altering the monument’s night character.
Despite being pop- up (Jan 2026- Mar 2028), the two- time duration was flagged as potentially too long for such a sensitive point without mitigation. These issues were noted in planning responses, egging design tweaks like restrained accoutrements (reclaimed framework/ timber) and backing from Westminster Council/ original groups.
