16 London underground stations become Grade 2 listed buildings

Culture Minister, John Penrose has granted grade 2 listed status for 16 of London’s iconic tube stations including Covent Garden, Oxford Circus and Russell Square.

Many of the chosen stations were designed by architect Leslie Jones at the beginning of the 20th century when he was asked to create a ‘recognizable identity’ for stations on the Northern, Piccadilly, and Bakerloo lines. His decorative bottle green tiled designs are now famous throughout the world.

Penrose said: “Millions of people pass through London’s Underground system every day, with little thought for the historic design and architectural features that are right under their nose as they hurry underground to catch their trains. Tube stations are great examples of the capital’s hidden heritage. It’s testament to the forward thinking and creativity of the design of Leslie Green and Charles Tyson Yerkes who created the original Underground Electric Railways that the brand and image of the red facades remain iconic.

“Although listing does not mean these stations will remain unchanged for all time, it does mean that any redevelopment plans will have to take the sites’ heritage value into account, which seems entirely right and will ensure the best of design is preserved for the future.”

Stations granted grade 2 listed status include: Aldwych, Belsize Park, Brent Cross, Caledonian Road, Chalk Farm, Chesham, Covent Garden, Hendon Central, Oxford Circus - originally two separate stations (on the north-west corner of Argyll St and Oxford Street, and the north-east corner of Argyll St and Oxford Street including the office above), Perivale, Redbridge, Russell Square, St John’s Wood, West Acton, and Wood Green.

Source: Sixteen London tube stations become listed buildings