A man-made hill in Marble Arch, which cost the public £2 million, has opened to the public – and it’s not gone down well.
The 25-metre Marble Arch Mound, created by Westminster City Council, offers visitors sweeping views of the capital’s Oxford Street, Hyde Park, Mayfair and Marylebone as part of a scheme to increase footfall in the shopping district as lockdown restrictions ease.
Designed by Dutch architect company MVRDV, people will be able to climb it via a single continuous route, which is around 130 stairs, while a lift will also be available to take visitors to the top and back down.
Tickets to the attraction cost up to £8 – and, once there, punters can enjoy food and drink sold by M&S.
“I think it’s really exciting to see this coming out of the ground and giving a new aspect – literally – of views in this part of London,” the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Jonathan Glanz, said.
“I’d be very surprised if people didn’t come to take advantage of it because it really is unique. I’m really pleased to see Oxford Street bouncing back. We’re doing everything we can to encourage footfall.”
But it’s safe to say that the general public – or, at least, the internet – was not impressed.
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