| Summary : The Metropolitan Railway's Baker Street station began as two side platforms (now those serving the Circle Line numbered 5 and 6) in a single tunnel with two running lines in 1863 to the designs of Sir John Fowler. Small station buildings - one for each platform - were located on the north and south corners of Marylebone Road at Baker Street. Tracks were laid to both standard and broad gaudes, the latter to suit GWR locomotives and rolling stock. In 1868 the St John's Wood line was opened from adjacent platforms known as Baker Street East. In 1892-3, after that line had been extended, the East station was enlarged. Between 1910-25 the station underwent a comprenhensive rebuilding programme to incorporate the Circle Line platforms and the company's general offices. Based on original drawings of 1907-11 prepared by Frank Sherrin, the work was designed and carried out by Charles W Clark, architect of all Metropolitan works from 1911 to 1933. A station building was erected in a restrained classical style, with a rusticated Portland stone facade. The ticket hall and concourse were laid out in the basement with stairs leading down to the Metropolitan platforms and also to a second concourse adjoining the Circle platforms at sub-basement level. Fronting onto Allsop Place was a new seven-storey office building. The steel and reinforced concrete structure was clad in faience, with decorative cast-iron panels. Built over the station in 1930 was Chiltern Court, a prestigious block of luxury flats, including shops, a restaurant, and a large function hall. This was again designed by Charles Clark. The Bakerloo tube station was incorporated into the complex in 1939, and the Jubilee line platforms were opened in 1979. The Circle line platforms were restored in 1984 to represent their original appearance and the Bakerloo line platforms were also given a facelift in conjunction with the Jubilee line works. |