A row of renovated railway arches next to a Tube station is set to bring new life to a previously hidden corner of a north-west London neighbourhood. The 12 historic arches are now a pleasant pedestrian walkway called Kilburn Mews, which Transport for London's property arm Places for London plans to fill with new shops and small businesses.
They want the spot - linking Loveridge Road with Kilburn Tube station - to be a "vibrant commercial hub" and welcoming new public space for the community. With public seating, landscaping, cycle parking, and improved lighting, the landscaped mews has transformed a previously hidden space into a walking route to and from the Tube.
Preserving Victorian Character
The 12 railway arches and two standalone units could be filled with cafes, fitness businesses, a food outlet, or independent shops. Places for London say they have taken care to preserve the historic character of the Victorian arches. Old concrete and machinery were ripped out, and original brickwork and cast-iron rain pipes were cleaned and restored - with modern upgrades such as glazed fronts and air source heat pumps added to make them energy efficient and attractive.
Jo Fisher, head of arches at Places for London, said: "We're very pleased to have completed the building work at Kilburn Mews, demonstrating how historic railway infrastructure can be sensitively adapted to meet modern needs. The new arches and two standalone units will house some great businesses that will soon become much-loved parts of the fabric of Kilburn. Now we're looking forward to great new businesses moving into the spaces and helping Kilburn Mews and the wider community continue to thrive and grow."
Community Input and Sustainability
A publicly accessible defibrillator has been installed based on feedback gathered during Places for London's community engagement. Following suggestions from residents, the mews has been "geo-fenced" to restrict the use of dockless e-bikes. Students from Hampstead School contributed to the design process, helping to shape the look and feel of the public space.
Sustainability was a core focus of the renovation with new planting and landscaping to encourage biodiversity. Places for London plans to curate a mix of occupiers that reflect the character of Kilburn, including small and medium-sized businesses such as fitness, food, and experience providers. Across the capital they support more than 1,500 businesses across TfL's network.
Project Completion
Richard Dobson, regional managing director for Morgan Sindall Construction London who completed the work, said: "Kilburn Mews has been a truly transformative project, breathing new life into the heart of Kilburn. Thanks to this regeneration, the local community will not just have a modern and attractive space for socialising, relaxing and shopping but it has enhanced accessibility around Kilburn while protecting historic buildings for generations to come."
