Birmingham railway station named as one of region’s best new buildings
Monday 18 May, 2026
University Station’s impressive new buildings have been recognised with a major award from RIBA, the UK’s leading authority on architecture.
The development saw the construction of two new station buildings, two footbridges and modern facilities to create a vastly improved experience for the 3.5 million passengers a year who use it.
It has now one of five new buildings to get the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) West Midlands Award, with judges commenting how the complex project overcame significant technical challenges of building alongside a busy railway line while the existing station remained open.
University Station
The development was led by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) with VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd, Mott MacDonald, Associated Architects and Node Urban Design responsible for the design.
The new station, on the Cross City Line, replaced a modest 1970s built station which was overcrowded and unable to cope with the high demand generated by journeys to and from the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Sandeep Shingadia, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, said: "Our designers, architects and contractors overcame significant hurdles and a building site restricted by railway lines and the canal to create world-class gateway station for the millions who visit the university and hospital each year. The recognition is well-deserved.
“It’s a striking addition to our transport network and demonstrates our commitment to improving journeys across our transport network.”
The project was delivered in partnership with the University of Birmingham, the NHS University Hospitals Birmingham Trust, Birmingham City Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, West Midlands Trains and Cross Country Trains. Construction was completed by VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd and the new station buildings opened in early 2024.
