South Western Railway (SWR) has completed a stunning restoration of Richmond station, one of London’s most iconic railway buildings.
The multi-year project, which began in late 2023 and is now officially complete, has transformed both the exterior and interior of the station, providing customers and Richmond with a fitting gateway to the area.
The Art Deco gem first opened in 1937, designed by the Southern Railway team led by chief architect James Robb Scott. In the decades since, alterations and weathering had degraded its elegant appearance and distinctive architectural details.
In partnership with Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and a range of skilled contractors and craftspeople, SWR has now faithfully and painstakingly reversed that decline.
The two-phase plan to bring the busy South West London station back to life started with the renewal of the station’s façade and the deep cleaning of the Portland stone exterior.
This was followed by the repair and polish of the tarnished bronze and mahogany entrance doors and the reinstallation of the high-level station sign; the bronze lettering at the top of the façade.
New flagpoles redeployed to their original position, flying the National Rail Double Arrow, and the use of period-appropriate paint colours, identified through specialist analysis, further enhanced the building’s authentic look.
In late 2024, attention turned to the second stage of the project, the entrance canopy and the internal ticket hall.
Bronze fascia panels, handmade to original designs, returned in place of the later cladding, while new rooflights recreated the 1930s “Glasscrete” effect. The bronze will naturally oxidise over time, resulting in a darker finish.
At night, a sympathetic lighting scheme now highlights both the entrance canopy and restored high-level lettering.
Inside the ticket hall, the removal of more cladding revealed the original timber frieze and green glass signage, much of it intact. Missing sections were replaced, while the woodwork was also carefully polished.
To complete the revival, SWR has installed chandelier features inspired by the original Art Deco light fittings, new oak shopfronts for retail units, and retro poster frames with licensed 1930s artwork.
Perimeter LEDs now provide downlighting for the booking hall, while a combination of original and replica green glass signs, such as for enquiries or left luggage, have been brought back into view. An original WH Smith sign has also been preserved.
Speaking at the completion of the project, Chris Gregory, Asset Enhancement Manager for South Western Railway, said:
“We are very proud of what has been achieved, bringing the station back to its original heritage condition and providing a fantastic gateway to Richmond.”
In mid-September 2025, the final elements of the multi-year project were officially unveiled. This includes one of the original metal signs previously displayed outside the station, now in the booking hall, thanks to a loan by the London Transport Museum.
Image credit: South Western Railway
