HISTORIC Southgate station has been upgraded on the listed buildings register.

The modernist classic is now in the top eight per cent of stations, and is a Grade II* listed building rather than a Grade II.

It is one of only two London Underground stations that have achieved Grade II* listing.

The other is Arnos Grove, also in Enfield, and designed by the same architect, Charles Holden.

The move follows an assessment by English Heritage.

The station's distinctive signs have also been listed, and each comprise a reinforced concrete tapering shaft that incorporates the familiar round Tube sign and supports five pendant lights.

Opened in 1933 on the northern extension of the Piccadilly line, Southgate is one of the best of architect Mr Holden’s London Underground stations, designed in partnership with Frank Pick of the London Transport Passenger Board.

It was among the first examples of the modernist style in Britain and has drawn praise since it was built.

Mr Holden also designed Bounds Green, Arnos Grove, Oakwood and Cockfosters stations and gave Piccadilly station it's modern circular layout when he redesigned it in the 1930s.

He is also responsible for the impressive modernist tower, Senate House, which is now part of the University of London.

Cllr Michael Lavender, Cabinet Member for place shaping said he was delighted at the news.

“The station building, with its modernist design, is a landmark in our borough, and is extremely well known.

“The way it attracts and draws in pedestrians to shops and services, as well as the station, outlines the importance of the Underground system in the life of the community, and the pioneering role of London Transport in modernist design in the 1930’s.

Southgate station lover Dawn Barnes, of Avenue Road, Southgate, was so keen on its design and that of the rest of the Piccadilly line she chose to live in Southgate because of it.

“I think it's brilliant, it's such a well considered design and so beautiful,” she said.

“It means that the whole area should be maintained and means that planning permission for the whole area has to be looked at really carefully.

“If you look at it from the air you can see it was part of a larger circular project but roads have since got in the way.”

Miss Barnes, a public relations executive, said now she would like to see investment in the parade of shops around the station, which were part of the original design.

Cllr Lavender said Enfield Council was considering a scheme to improve buildings in the immediate area.

To find out more about the history of the Piccadilly Line visit the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. See www.ltmuseum.co.uk for information.

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