LINCOLN MGT £ 850 Million Station Hill redevelopment opens to the public
12 FEBRUARY 2025 : A new area of public realm creating a ‘ front door ’ to Reading and linking the mainline station with the town centre has opened as part of the £ 850 million redevelopment of Station Hill , delivered by Lincoln MGT , the joint venture between Lincoln Property Company (‘ Lincoln ’) and MGT Investment Management (‘ MGT ’).
Covering around two acres , the landscape and public realm of Station Hill run from Friar Street in the south – across a site which previously contained Friars Walk shopping centre , a car park , bus depot and office buildings dating from the 1970s – to the main entrance of Reading station in the north . The area incorporates a new pedestrian bridge link over Garrard Street and offers seating areas set within generous planting where members of the public can meet and relax .
The public realm gives visitors a significantly improved welcome to the town on arrival from the station , with a pocket park providing an inviting and attractive solution to the four-metre level change between the station underpass and Station Hill . The connection from the station through to Friar Street and the town centre beyond is step free , ensuring all-inclusive access for users .
Councillor Liz Terry , Reading Borough Council Leader , said : “ Reading ’ s standing as a major economic player - both in the region and nationally - compels it to have a gateway to the town which is befitting of that reputation . I ’ m pleased to say that has now become a reality with the opening of this hugely impressive public space between Reading Station and Station Hill , which is now effectively the town ’ s new front door . The creation of an attractive green space and accompanying public square , complete with seating , sculptures and artwork , will likely quickly become a destination in its own right , and the level access from the Station towards both Friar Street and the Town Centre will be of huge benefit .
The design of the public realm has been undertaken by leading landscape architects LDA Design , who worked closely with Arcadis on the Placemaking vision for Station Hill . The design for the public realm has been inspired by its location between the two rivers on which Reading stands – the Thames and the Kennett — which were fundamental to the establishment and growth of Reading . Taking cues from the forms and terminology associated with rivers — currents , eddies , banks and boulders — the landscape is laid out to respond to the movement of people ( currents ), create active frontage ( eddies ) at the edge of the buildings ( banks ) and provide areas to sit and dwell ( boulders ). The design seeks to create a sense of belonging for anyone who visits .
A main square has been created adjacent to ONE Station Hill , a new best-in-class 275,000 sq ft London grade office building . This square
will be a major destination where people can meet and relax , acting as focal point for pedestrians and helping to drive footfall between the station and the town centre . Pathways flow around the central area of the square showcasing the ‘ Seed ’ sculpture and a playful water fountain feature .
As a key attraction in the public realm – particularly on warm , sunny days – the feature will provide opportunities for children of all ages to play in the water spray while those looking on can watch from a distance – and stay dry .
The central seating edge is the largest continuous terrazzo seat in Europe , providing definition and function to the central space . Seating has also been incorporated along the pathways which converge as they meet the new pedestrian link bridge to the south , with planting and trees continuing along the full length of Friars Walk .
A stepped pocket park has also been created across the station forecourt to the north , close to the main reception of ONE Station Hill . This incorporates a significant amount of terraced planting – including
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