Work to deliver a transformational upgrade of the nationally significant South Kensington Tube station is gathering momentum, following its confirmation in Transport for London’s (TfL) latest Business Plan. The project—which is critical for improving accessibility, capacity, and passenger experience at one of London’s busiest interchange points—will be delivered alongside a joint venture between Native Land and Places for London.
The integrated redevelopment will provide long‑awaited step‑free access to all platforms, easing travel for millions of users each year and ensuring the station better serves London’s world‑famous cultural district.
A Major Step Forward for Accessibility and Station Modernisation
A new fully accessible entrance on Thurloe Street will connect passengers to the ticket hall, platforms, and the museum subway. For wheelchair users, families with buggies, and passengers with mobility needs, this represents a significant improvement over the station’s current challenging layout.
TfL will also deliver a new dedicated eastbound Circle and District line platform, with new lifts serving both these lines and the Piccadilly line.
The around‑station development—designed by Stirling Prize‑winning architects RSHP—received full planning permission in December 2023. This clearance unlocks a broad package of public benefits, including:
- Restoration of the station’s historic arcade
- Delivery of 50 new homes, including on‑site affordable housing
- New office space and enhanced public realm improvements
A newly designed four‑storey ‘Bullnose’ building will be constructed at the front of the station, offering ground‑floor retail and F&B space with flexible workspaces above, giving the station renewed architectural prominence.
Although TfL’s station upgrade and the Native Land/Places for London development are separate projects, both will run under a combined delivery programme to reduce disruption for passengers and local residents.
Enabling works for the around‑station development are planned to begin later in 2026.
Industry and Stakeholder Reactions
Bruno Carr, Head of Investment Planning at TfL, said:
"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."
Alasdair Nicholls, Chief Executive of Native Land, said:
"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, said:
"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."
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said:
"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, said:
"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, said:
"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.”
Image credits: iStock
