The company which has a 30-year concession to run the 109km rail line between St Pancras International in London and the Channel Tunnel is recruiting a team to carry out a RIBA Stage 2 study focusing on the landmark William Henry Barlow-designed terminus.The procurement for a design and operational concept feasibility partner comes shortly after HS1 announced the findings of a study looking at the potential for expanded passenger capacity at the Grade I-listed of St Pancras International terminus.According to the report, there are various opportunities to increase the current capacity of 1,800 travellers an hour to nearly 5,000. Landolt + Brown Architects was selected to work on the initial study last year. Key aims include delivering more efficient operations and enabling additional international rail services.AdvertisementAccording to the brief: International rail services are currently provided by Eurostar who have expressed an aspiration to grow their passenger volumes from 19m today to 30m by 2030 across their network.To support these growth aspirations, HS1 has commissioned an initial feasibility study to explore a) the likely future passenger numbers that will need to be accommodated in the international part of St Pancras station and b) the required spatial and operational changes that will be necessary to unlock the required capacity.This initial work has identified that expansion is feasible. HS1 is now ready to progress to design and operational concept feasibility stage (RIBA2) to design, deliver and operationalise a reconfigured ground floor operation of the International Zone delivering a significant uplift in passenger capacity that meets forecast requirements until at least 2035 and potentially 2040.St Pancras station is a major central London terminus for international rail services to France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Designed by William Henry Barlow in 1868, the Grade I-listed station underwent an 800 million refurbishment and redevelopment by Arup and Chapman Taylor Architects in 2007.The upgraded station complex features a 150 million overhaul and extension of George Gilbert Scotts former Midland Grand Hotel, designed by RHWL and Richard Griffiths Architects. Following Brexit, new border check requirements mean it suffers from capacity limitations and long processing queues for international travel.AdvertisementThe latest project comes six years after Chapman Taylor Architects drew up the SPICE growth study for the interchange and delivered a series interim measures to improve the departure experience for passengers.Landolt + Brown worked with design consultancy agency Active Thinking on the exploration of options for future passenger growth. Both were appointed by HS1 Ltd following a competitive tender process.The project aims to boost capacity at the congested St Pancras International where, in coming years, new train operators are planning to run services alongside Eurostar, which itself hopes to increase capacity from 1,800 passengers an hour to 2,700 passengers an hour by 2025.Applicants must hold employers liability insurance of 10 million, public liability insurance of 10 million and professional indemnity insurance of 5 million.Competition detailsProject title Call for Competition - St Pancras Enhancement Project RIBA 2 Design and Operational Concept Feasibility StudyClient HS1Contract value TBCFirst round deadline Midday, 12 February 2025Restrictions TBCMore information https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/a84b5103-785a-4eca-8298-e72f277a270f