As part of Elephant and Castle’s £4bn transformation, Southwark Council has contributed £70.5 million for the new Tube station entrance and ticket hall.
The work, completed by the developer Get Living will initially replace the existing entrance to the Northern Line and safeguard a future Bakerloo Line Extension in the process.
The station box will shortly be handed over to Transport for London (TfL) so that it can commence the tunnelling works to connect into the Northern Line platforms. This will be followed by the fit out of the new station once funding for that work has been confirmed.
The new station entrance and ticket hall will open up into the heart of The Elephant, Get Living’s £1.5bn transformation of Elephant and Castle Town Centre.
Launching in 2026, The Elephant will comprise 485 new homes, of which 172 will be affordable, as well as 55 new shops, restaurants and bars, offices, and a new 5 screen cinema.
Alongside the new station entrance, a new University of the Arts London campus building has been delivered for the London College of Communication (LCC) which will open in 2027 and accommodate over 5,500 students and staff.
As part of a further proposed phase of the development, the site of the existing London College of Communication will be transformed to provide 507 new residential homes, a 452-bed student accommodation and a world-class cultural venue within a repurposed part of the existing building providing flexible spaces for arts, performances, and community activities.
This milestone not only marks a pivotal moment for the wider regeneration of Elephant and Castle, but the new station has been built to provide direct connection to the future Bakerloo line extension, a project that would unlock huge economic benefits across the UK.
A Bakerloo Line Extension would see the current line from Elephant and Castle extend to Lewisham and would include the introduction of two new stations at Burgess Park and Old Kent Road and would result in an additional 150,000 new public transport trips per day, expanding connectivity for communities currently living in the bottom third most deprived communities in England.
To mark the milestone, Get Living, Delancey, Multiplex, TfL, Southwark Council and the BusinessForBakerloo campaigners were joined by Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood MP.
Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “The new station will transform the experience of the many thousands of people who use Elephant and Castle every day, with easier, quicker step-free access to transport.
“We’ve invested in the station so it is new, modern and fit-for-purpose, and ready for extra footfall from new homes, including affordable homes, and businesses being created in the area.
“The new station is also a milestone for the Bakerloo line extension, which would transform the lives of Londoners, bring a major boost to our national economy of £1.5bn a year and support 150,000 jobs include jobs across the UK.”
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Chief Capital Officer, said: “The proposed changes to Elephant and Castle Tube station will make the experience of those using the station significantly better. The new entrance will offer step-free access and increase capacity by over 30 per cent, making it a more pleasant and welcoming experience for all those visiting The Elephant and everyone living in the area. The work will also safeguard the plans for the Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham, a project that would transform communities across south London and boost economic growth throughout the UK as part of the supply chain.”
Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive at Get Living, comments: “With its central London location just south of the river, Elephant and Castle is uniquely positioned with both the City and West End just a few minutes away. The renewed tube station entrance will be a crucial part of delivering the fundamental infrastructure that this growing neighbourhood needs to continue thriving in the future, paving the way for the proposed Bakerloo line extension that would bring huge benefits to Elephant and Castle, London and beyond.
“When The Elephant opens next year it is set to be one of the most connected neighbourhoods in London, and the new station entrance and ticket hall will ensure that the passengers’ Underground experience matches the transformed destination above ground. What’s more, when leaving the new station entrance, visitors will be greeted by the historic Elephant statue which once sat atop the old shopping centre, as well as a whole host of food, retail and leisure experiences to enjoy.”