Official Opening for Manchester’s Victoria Station

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin today unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of the transformation of Manchester’s Victoria Station, and the end of a complex three year £48.5m project.

McLoughlin declared the new station open saying: “I want to congratulate everyone involved in this remarkable project. It’s fantastic to see Manchester Victoria once again a station fit for the city. It’s now a symbol of opportunity, not neglect, and proof that this one nation government is building the Northern Powerhouse.”

BDP was architect and heritage consultant for the comprehensive redevelopment which creates a gateway to the city and has returned Victoria to its former position as one of the leading railway stations in the country.  

The striking new feature is the 10,000 sqm roof, a dramatic column-free structure clad in energy-saving ETFE, which replaces a series of trainsheds. The design also includes a series of mezzanine floors holding retail and station facilities and improving passenger connections.

Victoria is one of the city’s oldest rail terminals dating from 1844, with a number of listed buildings and features. BDP’s heritage expertise has been utilised in the restoration of the original Grade II Edwardian frontage building, including the refurbishment of the original ticket hall dating from 1909.

Architect director Peter Jenkins says: “One of the challenges in designing the new Victoria was to match the standards laid down by the successes of BDP’s previous work at Manchester Piccadilly, to once again blend high-quality new architecture with a refurbishment of the original Victorian and Edwardian buildings.”

The Victoria transformation is part of the £1bn Northern Hub which will provide a foundation for future transport developments, improving links between cities in the north. The Northern Hub project will unlock new routes, improve connections and journey times across the north of England. Manchester sits at the heart of these changes, and BDP is designing all the major architectural and urban realm elements of the project.