Morgan Sindall completes Kilburn railway arches regeneration
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed the refurbishment of 12 Victorian railway arches in Kilburn, London, handing the regenerated site back to Places for London.
The contractor’s London business was appointed by Places for London, Transport for London’s property company, through the SCAPE Construction framework.
The project involved extensive structural and internal works to the arches, which sit beneath three operational railway lines and required close coordination with Places for London, TfL and Network Rail.
Morgan Sindall refurbishes 12 Victorian railway arches
Each of the 12 arches was stripped back to its original brick structure, including the removal of existing concrete, mechanical and electrical services, fixtures and asbestos.
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Morgan Sindall then installed new structural slabs, lined soffits and walls and glazed feature façades. Structural steel goalposts were used to support the glazing while limiting loads imposed on the existing railway arches.
The original brickwork was retained and restored where possible, while cast-iron rain pipes were cleaned and refurbished.
Because of the railway infrastructure above the arches, conventional fixings could not be used where they could affect the integrity of the structures. Instead, a steel frame was installed within each arch to control loads and support the refurbished spaces.
Railway constraints and historic structure shape construction
Working beneath three live railway lines created significant logistical and operational constraints, with the project team required to maintain the operation of the surrounding transport network throughout construction.
The team also had to account for historic damage to the structures, including the effects of Second World War bombing.
Limited records of post-war works meant previously undocumented underpinning and infilling were discovered during the refurbishment and incorporated into the construction approach.
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Fire performance was another key consideration, with the new commercial units required to meet the necessary fire rating while being constructed within the existing railway infrastructure.
The completed site includes 12 refurbished commercial units and two new retail units, alongside improvements to the surrounding public realm.
Richard Dobson, Regional Managing Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in London, said: “Kilburn Mews has been a truly transformative project, breathing new life into the heart of Kilburn in a manner that reflects the area’s dynamic nature and heritage.
“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.
“Working closely with Places for London and Transport for London has been central to the project’s success.
“This collaboration not only ensured that the vital rail lines above the project could continue operating as normal but meant that the renovation could be tailored to the area while providing a springboard to deliver valuable benefits for local people.”
Kilburn Mews incorporates low-carbon construction measures
The refurbished units have been designed without gas connections and include air-source heat pumps, underfloor heating and a communal district heating system.
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Reusing the existing railway arches avoided the need for a new-build development, while new planting has been introduced to improve biodiversity.
A 76m³ attenuation tank was installed to manage rainwater, with additional localised attenuation systems incorporated alongside new trees.
The project also included construction skills and community initiatives, with Morgan Sindall and its supply chain working with organisations including Capital City College, Heath School, C4WS Homeless Project, Action for Youth Boxing Intervention and Literacy Pirates.
Kilburn Mews forms part of a wider programme to regenerate more than 800 railway arches across London.
