Bell Station has been officially named among the world’s most beautiful stations.
The station opened in 2022 as part of work to remove 4 dangerous and congested level crossings in Preston.
It is now one of six stations recognised by the prestigious Prix Versailles, the world architecture and design award, as part of its World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Stations List, 2024.
The list includes Schafbergbahn Station, St Wolfgang, Austria; Beijing Station, China; Toulouse Matabiau Station, France; Chiaia Metro Station, Naples, Italy; and Grand Central Madison, New York, United States of America.
The Bell Station design reflects Preston’s rich history with post-war roof tops, and references to the local art and culture scene.
Aspects from each can be seen in the station façade with local roofscapes abstracted into a three-dimensional pattern and the pink and purple coloured glazing.
It was also built with a modern waiting room, elevated platforms and seating protected from weather, lifts and stair access, and more spaces to secularly lock bikes.
Bell Station is now in the running for one of three titles, the Prix Versailles as well as the Interior and Exterior awards, which will be announced on Monday 2 December 2024.
Four level crossings were removed and 2 new stations were built in Preston, improving safety, creating more local connections and creating new public open space.
By raising the Mernda Line over Oakover Road, Bell Street, Cramer Street and Murray Road new community open space was created, which includes new cycling and pedestrian connections, barbecue facilities, seating, native planting, and play areas.
In total we are removing 110 level crossings by 2030, with 84 already gone for good.
