Colosseum-style revamp with 50 new homes at South Kensington station
LATEST plans to overhaul one of central London’s busiest and most congested stations after more than 30 years of stalled proposals were revealed today.
Transport for London has submitted an application for a restoration of the Victorian arcade above Grade II listed South Kensington station, as well as a new four-storey building for shops and offices and 50 new homes.
The scheme will also create a new entrance and lift for step-free access to the District and Circle line platforms in Thurloe Street.
It is the sixth attempt since the Eighties to redevelop a “tired” station used by 32 million passengers a year and notorious for horrendous bottlenecks for passengers visiting the nearby museums.
TfL has teamed up with developers Native Land and architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners to draw up the plans. However, some local residents are unhappy with the designs of the proposed “Bullnose” building — likened to a London version of the Roman Colosseum — which will have shops on the ground floor and offices and other workspaces above.
Alasdair Nicholls, chief executive of Native Land, said: “Our proposals will provide contemporary architecture of the highest quality that respects its unique historical context, providing new homes, including 35 per cent affordable housing, and a contemporary range of shops, restaurants and workspaces.
“We have listened carefully to feedback on our plans and believe this is a considered scheme that responds sensitively to its context. It will help bring a renewed sense of place to South Kensington, befitting its status as the gateway to London’s internationally renowned museum and cultural quarter.”
A string of previous designs have all fallen by the wayside, some because of objections to taller towers and the loss of the arcade. The plans, lodged with Kensington & Chelsea council, are separate from an another application from TfL to make improvements to the platforms and ticket hall.