The Eagle and Child in St Giles, renowned for its links with fantasy writers JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, closed in March 2020 and has not reopened since.
New owner, American science company the Ellison Institute (EIT), has been moving ahead with plans to revamp it.
READ MORE: Historic pub’s future is revealed
The tech company owned by billionaire Larry Ellison confirmed earlier this month the pub will open in 2027 at a date to be fixed, following a major refurbishment.
Drinkers have been disappointed at the apparent lack of work at the pub in recent years but now, finally, major changes are clearly visible.
Building work at The Eagle and Child in St Giles (Image: Andy Ffrench)
At the back of the pub construction of a new extension appears to be under way, with the outline of the roof clearly visible.
The science institute, funded by billionaire Larry Ellison, whose wealth is almost on a par with that of Elon Musk, is reported to have paid $10.7m for the pub – about £8m – when it was sold by St John’s College in 2023.
The institute is working with the company owned by world-famous architect Norman Foster for the redesign of the pub.
Extensive renovations include restoring the historic aspects of the pub while creating better facilities at the rear, where a 1960s extension has been removed. Work will also open up the garden.
Little can be seen from the front of the pub in St Giles but people who have ventured down a passageway to see it from the back reported this summer that little appeared to be happening, according to the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).
An artist’s impression of the Eagle and Child (Image: The Ellison Institute of Technology)
However, the Ellison Institute of Technology issued a statement saying: “The Eagle and Child is indeed on course for reopening in 2027.
“There is a full refurbishment/restoration going on behind the large hoardings that may not be visible to the casual passer-by. We’ll keep you up to date with more news when we have it.”
The pub is revered by Tolkien fans as the meeting point for many years of writers known as the Inklings.
The Oxford branch of CAMRA has posted: “While functioning as a traditional pub on the ground floor, it will have meeting rooms above giving EIT a foothold in the city centre.
“EIT is a major American biotech and medical research company that is building a campus at Oxford Science Park in Littlemore, to include more than 300,000sq ft of research laboratories, educational and meeting spaces. This is also due for completion next year and could employ up to 7,000 people.”
Larry Ellison (Image: Contributed)
In June, updated plans for the £1bn science park plans were approved by city councillors.
The Lamb & Flag pub on the opposite side of St Giles is now run by a community group called The Inklings.
The pub was shut down by its owners St John’s College at the start of 2021 due to a fall in trade caused by the pandemic but it reopened in October 2022 following a takeover by the community group and has been busy ever since.
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