TfL appoints TateHindle to undertake works on 55 Broadway

01 May 2014

Transport for London (TfL) has appointed TateHindle as the architect to prepare the planning proposals for the redevelopment of its historic London Underground Headquarters, 55 Broadway.

In August 2013, TfL launched a competitive tender for architects to submit their proposals for the future of the building.  

During the tender process, TfL considered every potential option for the building with office, hotel and residential uses all being evaluated.

After detailed analysis the conclusion was reached that a residential led development would deliver the best value for fare and taxpayers and would also be the most suitable option to maintain the heritage of the Grade I listed building.  

Graeme Craig, Director of Commercial Development at TfL, said: "We're pleased to announce that TateHindle has been appointed as the architect to take the planning process forward for 55 Broadway.  We recognise the historic value of the building and the need to carefully ensure that any future use enhances the building's historic features.  

"We remain committed to securing a future for the building that ensures it remains a valued part of the fabric of London. We also have a responsibility to fare and taxpayers to make sure that any redevelopment of 55 Broadway is a commercial success, with all proceeds reinvested in London's transport network to deliver increased and improved services."  

TfL will be working closely with TateHindle and will be leading on the planning application and the listed building approval process, rather than engaging with an external developer at this stage.

TfL expects to submit the planning application in autumn 2014.  In the meantime, the building will continue to be used as an office for TfL staff with plans for staff to remain there until 2015.  

Andrew Tate, Director of TateHindle, said: "We are delighted to have won this important commission to work in collaboration with TfL on the 55 Broadway project. Our design objective is to breathe new life into the building with a particular focus on enhancing it's setting, whilst remaining respectful of its cultural heritage and architectural integrity."  

Designed by Charles Holden and built between 1927 and 1929, 55 Broadway has been London Underground's iconic Headquarters for over 80 years and is situated above St James's Park Tube station. The building was listed Grade II in 1970 and upgraded to Grade I in 2011 by English Heritage on account of its outstanding national historic and architectural interest. 

  • A photo of 55 Broadway may be found here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/tflpress/sets/72157644446373811/
  • The appointment of TateHindle follows a Competitive Dialogue Procurement Process under OJEU (Official Journal of European Union)
  • London Underground owns the freehold interest in 55 Broadway, 100 Petty France and the Wing over Station ("the Buildings") and holds a long occupational lease of Albany House. 55 Broadway is a Grade I Listed Building which lies within the Broadway & Christchurch Gardens Conservation Area
  • The building was commissioned in the 1920s by The Underground Group who wanted Broadway to reflect its bold vision of the future of transport in London. Architects Adams, Holden and Pearson were given the task of creating a groundbreaking design
  • The site at St James's Park Tube station was challenging because of its irregular shape and the District and Circle line only 7.3 metres below. The solution was a cross-shaped layout, allowing pedestrians to walk through the ground floor of the offices, across the station booking hall, providing a short cut between Victoria Street and St James's Park
  • Above ground, the building was faced with 78,000 cubic feet of high quality Portland stone. Contemporary artists were invited to sculpt decorative features into the stone facade, carved on site. Two are just above street level and a further eight are above the sixth floor windows on each side of all four wings

The sculptors were:

  • Jacob Epstein
  • Eric Gill
  • Henry Moore
  • A H Garrard
  • Eric Automer
  • Allan Wyon
  • F Rabinovitch    
  • The Royal Institute of British Architects awarded 55 Broadway its 1929 London Architectural Medal
  • During WW2 the west wing received considerable damage as a result of bombing. It was rebuilt - without Portland stone facing which was not available at the time. The Portland stone was reinstated in 1963
  • 55 Broadway was refurbished in the 1980s. The exterior stone work was cleaned, the windows replaced with exact replicas, and a new street-level shopping mall allowed the reopening of the eastern entrance to the building
About TateHindle
  • AJ100 architectural practice TateHindle was founded in 1991 by experienced architects Andrew Tate and James Hindle. The focus is firmly on providing imaginative solutions through combining design flair and a pragmatic commercial approach. The firm has worked for major developers such as British Land, The Crown Estate, Grosvenor, M&G Real Estate, Countryside Properties and others on high profile projects across commercial, residential, retail and leisure projects. Significant schemes include the conversion and refurbishment of Cornwall Terrace, a Grade I listed Nash terrace in Regent's Park, from office to residential; a major mixed-use refurbishment of a listed building that forms part of the St James's Market regeneration; the delivery of The Triton Building at Regent's Place; and Long Road, Great Kneighton near Cambridge, a 2013 project winner in the Housing Design Awards.