New future revealed for Curzon landmark Famous entrance to old station will be visitor centre
BIRMINGHAM’S historic Curzon Street station is to be reborn as a visitor centre and education hub, the Birmingham Post can reveal.
The Grade I-listed entrance building – the oldest surviving railway terminal in the world – has been disused for years.
But now it will become the focal point of the new site in Eastside which will eventually house the HS2 station.
Proposals for the councilowned land have been revealed by HS2, the Government company set up to deliver the highspeed rail line between London and Birmingham. The imposing landmark, built in the 1830s, will be turned into a visitor centre, meeting rooms, exhibition space and café on the ground floor.
Upstairs will be used by Historic England, and for Birmingham City University STEAMHouse workshops, encouraging collaboration between the science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) sectors. It is due to launch later this year before eventually taking space in the former Typhoo Tea factory in Digbeth.
Council corporate director of economy Waheed Nazir, said: “The former Curzon Street station building is one of the oldest railway terminus buildings in the world and a monumental piece of architecture. “Sitting in the heart of Birmingham Eastside, which will be home to HS2, this building symbolises an exciting future, as well as celebrating the city’s important rail heritage. “Birmingham City Council has been working closely with HS2 and Birmingham City University to consider measures to pro- tect this Grade I-listed building and ensure that it’s around for another 180 years, as well as marking the arrival of highspeed rail in the city.
“Depending on the outcome of the consultation process, the planning committee will make a decision on the application in July.”
A series of renovation works are planned by HS2 which would include floor strengthening, decoration and remodelling of the interior.
Planners hope the newlyrestored building will be “urban and edgy”, utilising untreated or whitewashed walls and stripped floorboards.
The restoration is expected to be completed by early 2018.