The £80m restoration of London’s Elizabeth Tower, better known as Big Ben, has been shortlisted for the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s leading architecture award. Judges praised the project as “a masterclass in conservation and craftsmanship,” highlighting the scale of work undertaken during the five-year refurbishment – the most extensive in the landmark’s 160-year history. The project included major repairs to the clock mechanism, reinstatement of the Victorian blue-and-gold colour scheme, and accessibility upgrades such as a new lift.
The Stirling Prize, awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), recognises the building deemed most significant for the advancement of architecture and the built environment. While typically awarded to new builds, the prize also honours major restorations. Last year’s winner was London’s Elizabeth Line rail project, while previous recipients include Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Big Ben’s restoration is one of six shortlisted projects for 2025. Other contenders include AstraZeneca’s Discovery Centre in Cambridge, which blends cutting-edge laboratories with public spaces; the London College of Fashion’s new 17-storey campus in Stratford; and the Appleby Blue Almshouse in Southwark, a social housing development for over-65s designed to foster community living.
The shortlist also features Niwa House in south London, a Japanese-inspired home designed with accessibility in mind, and Hastings House in East Sussex, a striking extension of a 19th-century home that uses timber-framed additions and industrial design features. Judges described both projects as inventive reuses of space that balance functionality with beauty.
RIBA President Chris Williamson said this year’s finalists reflect architecture’s “unique ability to address urgent challenges with creativity, adaptability and care.” He added that the projects provide “a hopeful vision for the future,” showing how architecture can strengthen communities and contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive society. The winner of the Stirling Prize will be announced later this year.
