Redevelopment Plans for Liverpool Street - Development Policy Going Backwards

[fat_boy_pete]

It's a precedent of things to come. If this is now going ahead, Why not other stations, listed or otherwise? Waterloo, Paddington, BTM, Edinburgh Waverley......

Because the listed bit isn't being touched. They are redeveloping the faux Victorian 1990's built bit, that just looks Victorian.

 

[Brush 4]

Waterloo Station Masterplan / GRIMSHAW

The London Waterloo Station Masterplan sets out a series of long-term aspirations to deliver improvements to both the station and the wider area that will further improve the wider neighbourhood.

grimshaw.global

Lambeth Council and Network Rail have joined forces to develop an ambitious long-term plan for the future development of London Waterloo station and the surrounding Waterloo and South​

The new part on top is made rather faded in the hope no-one notices. It doesn't make it clear if it extends over the trainshed as well.

 

[yorksrob]

Waterloo Station Masterplan / GRIMSHAW

The London Waterloo Station Masterplan sets out a series of long-term aspirations to deliver improvements to both the station and the wider area that will further improve the wider neighbourhood.

grimshaw.global

Lambeth Council and Network Rail have joined forces to develop an ambitious long-term plan for the future development of London Waterloo station and the surrounding Waterloo and South​

The new part on top is made rather faded in the hope no-one notices. It doesn't make it clear if it extends over the trainshed as well.

I'm sure that anything controversial will be glossed over in the publicity. We certainly don't want another underground car park.

I suppose on the plus side, they've managed to avoid screwing up Paddington (after public uproar over the fourth arch).

 

[Bald Rick]

Waterloo Station Masterplan / GRIMSHAW

The London Waterloo Station Masterplan sets out a series of long-term aspirations to deliver improvements to both the station and the wider area that will further improve the wider neighbourhood.

grimshaw.global

Lambeth Council and Network Rail have joined forces to develop an ambitious long-term plan for the future development of London Waterloo station and the surrounding Waterloo and South​

The new part on top is made rather faded in the hope no-one notices. It doesn't make it clear if it extends over the trainshed as well.

The proposals don‘t extend over the trainshed. There is much more info on Lambeth’s website.

 

[Horizon22]

I do find it odd all the concepts of "gloomy"; I guess people look at past architechtural decisions and believe they will inform the future although things have certainly moved on. Also Liverpool Street over the past weekend and over Christmas has had a lot of roofing and glass repairs which would not be an investment planning to be made unless a) life-expired and at imminent risk of failure or b) intention to keep the roof and light ambience for the medium to long term future.

Paddington doesn't feel excessively gloomy with the Lawn and the Paddington Square works were outside the main building framework.

 

[Brush 4]

No problem with adjacent developments, like Paddington but, avoiding another B New St is a must. When was the last time the sun shone on the centre area of platforms there? 1966?

Hardly environmentally friendly either to have lights on 24/7

 

[Horizon22]

No problem with adjacent developments, like Paddington but, avoiding another B New St is a must. When was the last time the sun shone on the centre area of platforms there? 1966?

Hardly environmentally friendly either to have lights on 24/7

Think urban planning has moved on a bit since New St! People see any major rail station redevelopment and often jump to the worst possible set up and nothing I've seen in the Liverpool St plans suggest it will be anywhere near that level.

 

[yorksrob]

The proposals don‘t extend over the trainshed. There is much more info on Lambeth’s website.

That's good news for a magnificent station.

 

[Bald Rick]

No problem with adjacent developments, like Paddington but, avoiding another B New St is a must. When was the last time the sun shone on the centre area of platforms there? 1966?

Hardly environmentally friendly either to have lights on 24/7

Well of course the most recent redevelopment at New St brought natural light into the concourse for the first time in 50 years and also (to a limited extent) down to platform level.

 

[WTT Gremlin]

Given that both halves of New Street were built in a hole in the ground in the centre of an industrial urban centre I don't think it would have ever been all that light and airy.

 

[duffield]

Well of course the most recent redevelopment at New St brought natural light into the concourse for the first time in 50 years and also (to a limited extent) down to platform level.

Yes, I think a lot of people have forgotten (or never experienced) just how much of a dire gloomy hole it was before the redevelopment! With the presence of Ozzy the bull and all the natural light I find the atrium/concourse really quite pleasant, and the platform level is at least "less unpleasant" than it was.

 

[yorksrob]

The March edition of Modern Railways includes a section on the approval of the latest revamp.

The curious thing is - the article mentions the office block being built over the concourse, yet the artists impression shows the concourse untouched with light airy train shed. Don't know what's going on TBH.

 

[vinnym70]

One thing I'm idly curious about is whether there is an actual increase in passenger numbers at Liverpool St now that the Elizabeth line is there or is it just the method of arrival that has changed (ie more journeys now seen as being on National Rail vs TfL)

I'm sure it matters little when it contributes to a significant refurbishment/redevelopment opportunity, though - maybe I've missed the answer to this upthread or elsewhere.

 

[davetheguard]

The curious thing is - the article mentions the office block being built over the concourse, yet the artists impression shows the concourse untouched with light airy train shed. Don't know what's going on TBH.

My thoughts exactly when reading the article. It can't be light & airy under a tower block can it?

With regard to other London termini, the platforms on the South Central side of Victoria, the platforms at Euston, & the platforms at Cannon Street & Charing Cross certainly aren't.

 

[35B]

My thoughts exactly when reading the article. It can't be light & airy under a tower block can it?

With regard to other London termini, the platforms on the South Central side of Victoria, the platforms at Euston, & the platforms at Cannon Street & Charing Cross certainly aren't.

Not read the article yet, but if the canopy is part protected, and a large chunk of the station is already a catacomb, I'm not sure how much difference there will be.

 

[yorksrob]

My thoughts exactly when reading the article. It can't be light & airy under a tower block can it?

With regard to other London termini, the platforms on the South Central side of Victoria, the platforms at Euston, & the platforms at Cannon Street & Charing Cross certainly aren't.

Indeed. To be fair the other terminals were done in a different era, but the artists impression clearly shows:

-The transcept along the concourse.
-The concourse under the train shed continuing to the old GE hotel.

If this is the up to date design, so good, but where's the office block.

I wonder what Modern Railways think about it all.

 

[MPW]

I can't find the article online but looks like yes the concourse is covered by the new office development, with what looks like a light well between the office and the existing hotel. Then the rest of the light seems to come from the platform area and the entrances, given very high ceilings and more open space.

I'm always overly optimistic about these things, but I think the high ceilings will make a big difference. It's far cry from cannon street or charing X where the oversite development feels like the ceiling is right on top of you.