The Grade II listed building, designed by architect Charles Henry Driver between 1864-66, was damaged by a fire in 1980. Most of the station building was restored, including what is now the Phoenix pub, however the former Station Master’s House remained empty, in an unusable condition, and on Historic England’s ‘Heritage at Risk’ Register.  

The recently refurbished former Station Master’s House on Windsor Walk was officially reopened by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage after the site had lain derelict for 43 years.

The significant investment includes new timber sash windows, a new entrance matching the doors and panels on the station platform, retaining the original chimney stack and installing a new ceiling and timber floor. A £44,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust enabled the design of the new windows, doors, flooring and external repairs to closely follow the heritage style of the age and Victorian character of the building. 

The refurbishment forms part of Project 1000, our £200m plan to bring a thousand empty and derelict spaces into use by 2030. The building is now on the market for rent and we expect it to become a café or restaurant.  

The plaque which was unveiled at the former Station Master’s House on Windsor Walk.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Arts and Heritage, said: 

“The railway is an intrinsic part of our national heritage — and one which millions of people use every day. The beautiful station at Denmark Hill station continues to grow and serve local visitors, while proudly showing off its Victorian heritage.  

“I’m delighted to reopen the Station Master’s House — brilliantly brought back to life thanks to this restoration — and look forward to seeing it play its part in the next chapter for this much-loved station.” 

Aigars Pudulis, Leasing Manager from The Arch Company, said: 

“We are delighted to bring the former Station Master’s House back into usable condition after 43 years. The location in the Camberwell Grove Conservation Area, close to Denmark Hill station, benefits from high footfall, making it an ideal area for a café or similar business to thrive. We look forward to welcoming a new business here soon.” 

Tim Hedley-Jones, Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: 

“We are very happy to have supported The Arch Company in this project with a grant to bring disused space back into use while restoring heritage features. We are also pleased that this project will remove a building from Historic England’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ Register. It has been a longstanding aspiration of the Railway Heritage Trust to see this building restored and reused, and we’re delighted it now has a bright future.” 

Tim Hedley-Jones, Executive Director, Railway Heritage Trust; Craig McWilliam, CEO, The Arch Company; Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Minister for Arts and Heritage; Aric Driver, Great Great Great Grandson of Charles Henry Driver, Victorian architect.

For more information about spaces to let, or to learn more about Project 1000 developments, please visit The Arch Company website here.