Station Hill development, Reading
The Station Hill development is an ongoing redevelopment project in Reading, England. It occupies a site between Friar Street and Station Hill in the centre of Reading, and takes its name from the latter. It is a mixed development, with several apartment blocks aligned towards Friar Street, and one office tower aligned towards the station. The development is linked together by Friar's Walk, an open air pedestrian walkway between the two streets that spans the intermediate Garrard Street on a bridge. At its Station Hill end, the development is adjacent to Thames Tower and the Reading railway station.
As of 2025, the first phase has been completed, with the second phase nearing completion. The eventual development will comprise up to of office space, 1,300 private and affordable homes, of new lifestyle-led retail and leisure space, including potential for a 200-bed hotel and later living accommodation, and a central piazza.
History
Proposals
A redevelopment of the land, then occupied by the disused Friars Walk shopping centre, bus station and former British Railways Western Tower offices, was initially proposed by Reading entrepreneur John Madejski, who bought the site in 2005.In 2012, the Station Hill project passed to a joint venture between Benson Elliot and Stanhope. In February, they released a new £400m plan to be displayed to the public. After the exhibition at the Town Hall, the developers said that the plans had received a positive response.
As of June 2018, Station Hill became a joint venture between Lincoln Property Company and MGT Investment Management. The BBC reported that the development was bought for close to £70 million from Sackville Developments.