When Robert Stephenson built the London & Birmingham Railway he decided to place the main railway station at Curzon Street. The station is at the bottom of a hill as Stephenson did not want to be troubled with the problems of taking the line into the heart of Birmingham. Designed by Philip Hardwick the station was completed in 1838. Built in the classical style with an Ionic portico, the station was the departure point for the north as well as the south bound trains.