Discover the history, architecture and planning of central London's largest regeneration zone
Join Open House for a socially-distanced walking tour exploring King’s Cross — London’s newest showcase of contemporary architecture and design
This insightful walking tour around King’s Cross Central — led by expert guide Maggie Baddeley — tells the story of the multi-billion regeneration project which has transformed 27 hectares of former railway land in the centre of the capital.
The socially-distanced walk will cover the planning, design and delivery of this new large-scale mixed-use district which is now home to Central St Martins College of Art and Aga Khan Development Network along with big tech media companies such as Facebook, Google and Universal Music.
Providing a safe and fun way for enthusiastic urbanists to explore the city in our pandemic era, this walking tour is part of a new series responding to the core themes of the Open House festival and wider Open City programme.
Masterplanned by Allies and Morrison, Porphyrios Associates, and Townshend Landscape Architects — the district features an extraordinary variety of contemporary architectural talents including Niall McLaughlin Architects, David Chipperfield Architects, Coffey Architects, Eric Parry Architects, dRMM and Mossessian Architecture.
Landmark buildings featuring on the tour include Stanton Williams’ Granary Building, the Aga Khan Centre by Fumihiko Maki, Wilkinson Eyre’s Gasholders London, R7 office block by Duggan Morris, Bell Phillips’ competition-winning Gasholder Park and Heatherwick Studio’s iconic Coal Drops Yard.
Using live audio and image sharing, participants will use their smart phones to follow the tour which will examine the success of the project to date while also looking ahead to what the future for King’s Cross might hold.
Meet: Outside Vinoteca King's Cross, 3 King's Blvd London N1C 4BU. Duration 2.5 hours approx. Tour ends at Granary Square. Cost £14.50 / £9.50 concessions. (students/unemployed/furloughed)
This is an in person tour led by your guide who is with you for the duration of the tour. Participants must bring a fully charged smart phone with internet connection, have downloaded Zoom in advance of the tour, bring headphones; and remember to stay at least two metres apart from each other where required. Zoom joining info will be sent out to all bookers the week before the tour. Tickets are non refundable. Tours go ahead rain or shine…Get in touch with Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk with any queries.
Meet the tour guide…
Maggie Baddeley is an associate at Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, a design review panel member for Design South East and a built environment expert with the Design Council. She previously worked for Lichfields, and was involved as a planning consultant in Kings Cross Central for Argent and for the Guardian.
Maggie joined the Open City tours team in 2012.