Abandoned rail facilities are being upcycled into stylish platforms for art, culture and dining – a must-see experience for every traveller.
#1: Maache Ecute, Tokyo
Rather than build from scratch, Mikan architects housed chic boutiques (above) within the red-brick viaduct of the historic Manseibashi Station in Tokyo, Japan. You’ll also find a coffee roaster and shop selling traditional Japanese sweets on the site.
#2: Goods Line, Sydney
In bygone years, trains rumbling along the Goods Line transported commodities. Now, it’s a landscaped corridor for pedestrians and cyclists. There are also ping-pong tables, outdoor study hubs and a water play area. Events such as a recent architectural festival are held here.
Photo: @seziep Instagram
#3: Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati
After a stint as a mall, the art-deco Union Terminal in Cincinnati has been reincarnated as a sprawling museum. Kids may like to explore its Ice Age Trail, while parents can appreciate the extraordinary restoration of its soaring rotunda and expansive murals.
Photo: @cincymuseum Instagram
#4: Sala Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The former Julio Prestes station now delights as an opulent concert hall (above). Boasting superior acoustics, it perfectly showcases the lush sounds of the resident Sao Paulo State Symphonic Orchestra.
#5: La Recyclerie And La Fleche D’or, Paris
The former Ornano station is now the community hub La Recyclerie (83 Boulevard Ornano, Tel: 331 4257 5849) that creatively reduces waste: A resident handyman helps visitors repair broken household items, while scraps from its restaurant are composted to fertilise its vegetable garden. Yoga classes and DIY workshops are also held here. Elsewhere in the city, catch an indie music gig at La Fleche d’Or (102 Bis Rue de Bagnolet, Tel: 331 4464 0102), a train station that has been turned into a performance venue.
Photo: @larecyclerie Instagram
#6: The Vaults, London
For an atmospheric experience, attend a film screening or art exhibition at the tunnels hidden beneath London’s buzzing Waterloo station. Pop-up interactive dining events (above) are being held here till January.
An adapted version first appeared in Silverkris.
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