A prominent overhaul of South Kensington Tube station and surrounding buildings is “gathering pace”, with “early implementation works” slated to kick off on-site by the end of this year.
The development project is being delivered by property developer Native Land with Transport for London and its real estate arm, Places for London.
Alongside a “significantly improved passenger experience” within the station, the joint venture is creating 50 new homes, restoring the station’s shopping arcade and properties along Thurloe Street, and constructing a four-storey retail and office building at the front of the station – called “The Bullnose”.
Designs by architects RSHP were granted planning approval back in 2023.
TfL’s station upgrades and Native Land/Places for London’s surrounding development are being run as separate projects, but share a single programme in an effort to minimise disruption to transport and local residents.
Following sign-off of finding and investment, TfL says it is now “gearing up” to carry out and complete the station capacity upgrade works. Detailed design and procurement work will happen within the year, while early implementation work for the Around Station Development is set to take place later in 2026.
Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land: “The investment in South Kensington Tube station is a significant milestone in a project that will unlock huge benefits for Londoners and enhance our city’s reputation as a cultural destination on the world stage.
“Our joint venture team at Native Land and Places for London will work side-by-side with TfL to deliver a major regeneration of the buildings and public realm around the station. Crucially, we will ensure that step-free access is delivered as part of phase one of the works.
“Our scheme for a world-class transit-oriented redevelopment, designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect RSHP, is ready to go and we’re hugely excited to begin work with TfL colleagues to secure the many benefits it promises for South Kensington and for London.”
Scott Anderson, Head of Property Development at Places for London: “The improvements planned by TfL, Places for London and Native Land at South Kensington will make the station a jewel of the Tube network. This hard-working station will become a place London can be proud of welcoming its many visitors to, as well as a vastly improved facility for locals and passengers in and around South Kensington.
“Places for London is delighted to be working in joint venture with Native Land, one of London’s leading developers, to deliver a new public transport -oriented, mixed-use development that will complement TfL’s upgrades at the station, with improved space for businesses and new homes, including on-site affordable housing.”
Bruno Carr, Head of Investment Planning at TfL: “It’s great that our plans to radically improve South Kensington Tube station have now reached the point where we have the necessary investment outlined to allow this scheme to now progress. This transformational scheme will deliver much-needed step-free access to this station, while also making the area around it more pleasant for the millions who visit the nearby attractions and museums every year.”
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport: “This upgrade to South Kensington Tube station and the surrounding area will benefit millions of local people, commuters and tourists visiting the nearby attractions, with the step-free access providing a smoother travel experience.
“The restoration of this historic design, as well as the addition of new affordable housing, office space and commercial opportunities, is exactly the kind of development we need as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”
Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater: “One of the first campaigns I launched as an MP was to modernise South Kensington station, so I’m delighted that TfL and the Mayor have decided to take the step-free project forward. This will make South Kensington – one of the world’s great cultural and scientific districts, as well as home to hundreds of residents and businesses – accessible to the thousands more people from around the UK and across the globe who travel here for our world-class museums, universities and hospitals. This project could only happen thanks to this Government making serious capital investments in infrastructure.”
Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group: “Members of the Exhibition Road Cultural Group have been working closely with TfL and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea for a number of years to ensure that South Kensington station can deliver a visitor experience that matches that our world-famous district that includes concert halls, museums, specialist hospitals and one of the world’s greatest universities. Three million people with a disability use the station each year, a number which has been restricted due to the accessibility issues, which also impact on families using buggies.
“Our institutions have invested over £123 million in recent years, upgrading their medical equipment, improving access to their buildings and in transforming their galleries and exhibitions. This project to improve the Tube station is the final piece in ensuring South Kensington is accessible for all visitors. The cultural district collectively generates £2 billion a year for the economy, a figure which will grow as the capacity of the Tube station increases.
“This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the news around the upgrade of the station is a fitting to showcase of how the original ambitions for science, technology, innovation and access for all are still alive today with a continued commitment for delivering an appropriate welcome to the district.”
Gallery: South Kensington Station redevelopment (Native Land / Places for London / Transport for London)
