The former youth hostel in Botley Road will be demolished 'in a month' according to contractors working on rail station improvements.
Staff working for Kier say demolition has already taken place inside the building at the junction with Roger Dudman Way, and the building itself will soon be demolished.
Network Rail has launched a multi-million pound improvement scheme for the station which involves replacing the Botley Road rail bridge and creating a new western entrance to the station.
READ AGAIN: Botley Road youth hostel will be demolished
The rail authority and the county council had planned to close Botley Road at the rail bridge from January 9.
But they scrapped the year-long closure and have not yet announced a new closure plan.
The demolition of the youth hostel follows the recent demolition of Station Grill, formerly Mick's Cafe, and another building behind it.
A worker for Kier said: "We've already started demolition work inside the youth hostel - it's called a 'soft strip' - and the building itself will be down in about a month.
"We have a timetable to work to and I don't think it will still be there by the end of March."
Network Rail and Kier spokesman David Paull said: "Both Station Grill and Vlora House have been demolished now.
READ AGAIN: Station Grill demolished for station improvements
"They have been stripping out the inside of YHA building and I believe they are starting to put scaffolding up around the building this week."
Talks have been taking place between the rail authority, the county council and the Department for Transport to agree a new plan to close Botley Road at the rail bridge.
One possibility is that the closure of Botley Road will go ahead in two phases with one closure period in 2023 and a second in 2024.
The demolition of Station Grill and the building behind it, a former law office, has created room for a turning circle for buses, which will be needed when the Botley Road is closed.
As well as the rail bridge replacement, utility cables around the station and in Botley Road are being rerouted.
The Youth Hostel Association has been aware of Network Rail's plans since 2014.
READ AGAIN: Paperchase store at Westgate to close
The association has had a hostel in the city since 1936 and has been in Botley Road since 2001, with a major refurbishment taking place in 2012.
The YHA building had a major role to play during the pandemic in 2020 when it was used to accommodate rough sleepers and the homeless.
A total of 94 homeless people were housed at the YHA building and at a block of flats on Cowley Road.
They were originally given emergency accommodation at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, and then allocated 'more settled interim housing' at the YHA and at Canterbury House on Cowley Road. The homeless from the YHA building have been relocated.
It is not yet known if the youth hostel association has found an alternative location for a hostel in the city.
The Oxford hostel is no longer listed on the organisation's website, and the nearest alternative YHA is in Streatley near Henley.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel