Euston Station--London

Gerald W. Kopiasz · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:04 pm

Greetings,

I've been doing a research project focusing on Greek Revival architecture. Can someone tell me why the Euston Station in London was demolished in the sixties to make way for the hideous building that exists today?

God Bless,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

hrrhs@aol.com

Erik Ledbetter · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:48 pm

Can someone
> tell me why the Euston Station in London was
> demolished in the sixties to make way for
> the hideous building that exists today?

Well, the Euston Arch was specficially demolished to make room for an improved bus stand, take that for what it's worth. As for the broader why--well, it's the same as Penn Station in NYC--the old was out and shabby, the new was modern and futuristic and in, and the heritage conservation movement hadn't colaesced yet to change the way people looked at these things.

Here's a good survey of the rise of conservation in Britain:

http://www.buildingconservation.com/art ... /time1.htm

Saving Time
eledbetter@rypn.org

David M. Wilkins · **Posted:** Tue Mar 04, 2003 1:28 am

According to Euston's entry in "The Oxford Companion to British Railway History" Euston dates to 1838. The version you are talking about came as a result of an 1849 remodeling/expansion. The station was considered both "splendid and seedy" and apparently very crowded. The LMS wanted to modernize and enhance the station, particularly the crowded platform arrangement, but World War II came and then nationalization. In the end, when the West Coast main was electrified, it was razed. According to the entry there was a lot of protest, but none of it was successful. All that remains of the original station are the 1870 Entrance, the war memorial, and the statue of Robert Stephenson.

david.wilkins@inisightbb.com

john bowers · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2003 2:30 pm

some years ago a large part of the demolished original facade was found in the bed of one of the rivers that surrounds London, there was talk at the time of it being recovered for a display, but nothing came of it. I travel through Euston monthly and think it looks like something out of the old Sov-bloc!

> Greetings,

> I've been doing a research project focusing
> on Greek Revival architecture. Can someone
> tell me why the Euston Station in London was
> demolished in the sixties to make way for
> the hideous building that exists today?

> God Bless,
> Gerald W. Kopiasz

johnbowers3@compuserve.com