Major revamp for historic Curzon Street Station as part of new HS2 works.

HS2 has received permission from Birmingham City Council to start refurbishment work of the 138 year old Curzon Street station, marking the next phase of work on the new terminus for HS2 in central Birmingham.

Nicola Henderson-Reid, HS2’s Curzon Street Station Senior Project Manager, said: “We’re extremely pleased to get the go-ahead to start work on restoring this fabulous old building, and we’re grateful to Birmingham City Council for their help in developing these designs.”

“HS2’s Curzon Street Station will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th century, and will play a vital role in our regional economy while preserving this important piece of Birmingham’s history.”

The agreement allows a long-term lease of the building by HS2, with work set to start early in 2021.

HS2 has said the there are “future plans to use it as an HS2 visitors centre, with flexible facilities for office space, exhibition purposes and catering”.

Refurbishment work will include:

New steel structural frame to strengthen the building
New lift giving access to all 4 levels
New glass balustrade for the historic staircase
Internal fit-out, roof repairs and structural repairs to the external masonry

The space surrounding the station will feature the historic track alignments of the former goods yard that used to lie to its east.

Reality capture specialists and Building Brum Partners ScanTech Digital have created a virtual tour of Curzon Street Station

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Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward said: “This is an important milestone in the transformation of this amazing old building and the new Curzon Street Station will be one of the real show pieces of the entire HS2 network.”

“High speed rail is a game-changer for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, bringing jobs, homes and opportunities to our city region and for the HS2 Generation – the young people currently growing up across the city – this project will shape their lives and careers.”

HS2’s Historic Environment Manager, Jon Millward said :“The Old Curzon Street Station has a fascinating history, and as a Grade 1 listed building it’s deemed to be of exceptional interest and is therefore classified as one of the most important buildings in England. It was the first railway terminus serving the centre of Birmingham and built during a period of great significance and growth for the city.”

“Earlier this year, we unearthed what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse situated adjacent to the Old Curzon Street station, and built to a design by the 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson. It’s fantastic that we can preserve the heritage of such an important building as part of the legacy of HS2.”

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