London is home to some of the most impressive public, domestic, and commercial architecture in the world. However, the city is very large. That means there will always be some spots that need some regeneration or new developments. For years King’s Cross was one of them. Today though, it is a completely different destination. The transformation in the last decade has been incredible.

The past

For many years the area behind King’s Cross station was home to goods yards and warehouses. Gradually these buildings fell into disuse and disrepair. The whole district became run down. It got a reputation for being seedy and unsavoury, a hotspot for crime and other illegal activities.

While the area was clearly in decline, many people were still drawn here. It became one of the leading locations for underground clubs. Many of the large warehouses saw new life as the venues for illegal raves and parties.

Regeneration

The plans to regenerate King’s Cross were some of the most ambitious ones ever seen. However, it was clear that there was a huge amount of potential. All it would take is the right architects and developers to bring it out. What you can see today in the area is a fantastic showcase of how successful they have been.

Today you will see a vibrant area with statement architecture, public spaces, and a nicer community feel. There are some iconic buildings, including the Gasholders with their nod to the industrial heritage of the area. Then there are spots like Granary Square which are perfect for socialising in normal times.

Another impressive part of the development is Coal Drops Yard. It retains the impressive Victorian infrastructure but now has modern touches. Visitors can enjoy a good mix of shops here, making it one of the most vibrant spots.

The development also has a new centre for creativity with Central Saint Martins, an art college. This helps to fuel the creative, arty vibe.

Impressively, unlike many high profile regeneration spots, a lot of people actually live here now. This gives it a wonderful community feel rather than being somewhere many of the homes are simply an asset that owners never live in.

Talk to us about commercial architecture

Coffey Architects was proud to provide our own design to help with the King’s Cross regeneration. Work on our project, 22 Handyside Street, was completed towards the end of 2020. The design celebrates the industrial heritage while creating modern offices to suit the challenges of being a business today. You can find out more about this project on our website.

If you have some ideas for your own piece of commercial architecture, we would love to hear them. Get in touch today and see what we could do to help you.