Discover the history, architecture and planning of central London's largest regeneration zone
Join Open City for a walking tour exploring King’s Cross — London’s 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 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.
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.
Participants will examine the success of the project to date while also looking ahead to what the future for King’s Cross might hold.
Key information
Meet: Outside Granger & Co. King's Cross Unit 1, The Stanley building, 7 Pancras Sq N1C 4AG (2nd stop on this tour is Pancras Square, outside no. 2)
Ends: at the western entrance to St Pancras, outside the Crick Institute
Duration: 2.45 hours approx
Cost: £19.50 / £14.50 / £13.50 / £9.50
Tickets are non refundable and our tours go ahead rain or shine…
We aim to be inclusive and accessible where possible, please contact Adrianna at tours@open-city.org.uk to discuss your needs, reduced ticket prices and if you require a free carer ticket or have any additional queries.
Meet the tour guide…
Maggie Baddeley is a freelance town planner and chartered surveyor. She is a Public Practice Alum, previously working with Luton BC and the GLA as a principal planning officer in their policy teams. She is co-chair of the Greater Cambridge Design Review Panel and joint vice-chair of the Essex Quality Review Panel. While a planning director at Lichfields she was involved as a planning consultant in Kings Cross for Argent and for the Guardian.
Maggie joined the Open City tours team in 2012.
Open City's year-round tours programme is supported by Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app.