The Site & Background
Built in 1931 and given Grade II Listed status in 2003, the Railway Hotel has been on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register since 2013, with the condition of the building assessed by Historic England as ‘poor’. The building was also heavily damaged by fires in 2016 and 2021. In recent times, both Barnet Council and the local community have been clear that it needs to be protected, restored and given a viable long-term future so that it can again become a hub for the Edgware community.
Following many years of the building being vacant, Edgware Limited – which is owned by local investors and developers – contracted to acquire the site, and have been working with an expert team to develop plans which they believe can help safeguard the site and give it the viable, long-term future everyone locally wants.
Our plans seek to deliver what local people want – shown through over 2,200 people signing a change.org petition in 2016 – which is to protect this heritage asset. It also responds to a motion at Barnet Council in May 2023 which urged the authority to compulsory purchase the site to secure it for future generations. This motion was supported by both Labour and the Conservatives.
The retention, refurbishment and future public access of the listed building will be realised by the delivery of a residential-led, mixed-use regeneration scheme on land to the rear of the Hotel, completing the transition between the regeneration of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre (The Ballymore scheme has a resolution to grant planning permission from the Strategic Planning Committee) and the more suburban, lower rise buildings along Edgware Road.
Ultimately, meeting the demands of local residents and the Council can only be realised through the wider regeneration of the land to the east.
History of the Site
The Railway Hotel was built in 1931 as a Road House with an attached pub, which was designed by Arthur Edward Sewell for Truman Brewery. The significance of the Railway Hotel lies in its historic and architectural interest. Its historic interest is derived from its original Road House use; an interwar phenomenon, largely supported by the increase in income and leisure time that people had after the war.
1902
Charles Wright Ltd. establishes factory on site.
By the 1920’s
Charles Wright Ltd known as Wright & Sons series of factory buildings had been built on the site.
1931-2
Railway Hotel built.
1972
Wright & Sons factory ceases operation on the site.
1992
Some factory buildings remain on site. These are gradually removed over the years.
2003
The Railway Hotel Grade II listed by Historic England.
2006
The Railway Hotel closes.
2013
The Railway Hotel was added to the "Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register"
2016
Fire breaks out in the Railway Hotel.
2021
Second fire breaks out in the Railway Hotel.
The Proposals
The proposals seek to agree the detailed design of the scheme, which includes:
- Re-opening and refurbishment of the Railway Hotel, bringing it back into use by local people and the wider community.
- The proposals will include 900sqm of renovated commercial space within the listed building and a further c.1,200sqm within the wider site.
- Delivery of approximately 750 new homes, sustainably located close to Edgware tube station.
- Enhanced public space, including new landscaping, planting, and biodiversity net gain.
- New walking route through the site to the station.
- Prioritising people over cars, to create walkable and lively urban spaces; transforming Churchway into a safe and accessible north-south link.
- Complement the wider Edgware Town Centre regeneration.
The Railway Hotel
The proposals for restoring the Railway Hotel focus on creating a vibrant, accessible, and community-oriented destination for people to enjoy. The building will retain a public use, with flexible event spaces for performances, workshops, and functions, alongside open-plan offices for rental or administrative use. A new entrance and vertical circulation will improve flow and accessibility, including a lift for universal access to visitor facilities. The internal layout will be reconfigured to enhance openness and connectivity from front to back, supporting varied food and beverage setups. Externally, the design introduces natural stone paving and a rain garden buffer, while sensitively integrating landscape features and seating to reinforce the building’s civic presence and connection to the new garden.
Housing Mix
This development will be residential-led, providing c.750 high-quality homes that seek to meet the growing demand for housing in Barnet.
The new homes will be delivered in a mix of one, two, and three bedroom apartments to serve the needs of Barnet’s diverse residents. The development will include new co-living apartments, enabling a variety of people to have access to modern, suitable, and sustainably-located housing.
Landscaping Approach
The proposals will bring a vibrant green oasis to Town Centre with the creation “Fairfield Park”. The park will include rain gardens, interactive children’s play zones and colourful flowerbeds to attract pollinators and support biodiversity. Thoughtfully designed walking paths and shaded seating area will invite visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings. Fairfield Park will create a new car-free green route improving permeability through the site and the wider context.
