King’s Cross

King’s Cross is one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects. In the shadow of two of London’s busiest railway stations it had long been cut off from the city, but the last decade has seen a dramatic transformation. Its masterplan set out a framework for its evolution to deliver a diverse mix of uses for a diverse community of residents, workers, shoppers and visitors, embedded in what is one of the UK’s most significant industrial heritage sites. Still in the process of becoming, it is already one of London’s sought-after places.

In this film, Graham Morrison takes us on a walk through King’s Cross today. He reflects on the importance of the spaces between buildings, the urban principles that have nurtured its diversity of uses and experiences, and the role of good connections in making a new piece of city thrive.

At the 27-hectare site, of which 10.5-hectares are open space, there are ten new public parks and squares and 20 new streets. There are 2,000 new homes, two new schools, offices, restaurants and shops. Central St Martins is at the heart of the neighbourhood in the original Granary Building and Google is in the process of building its new headquarters. Others in the mix range from the Aga Khan Centre, to the Everyman Cinema. In all, there are 20 retained heritage buildings and structures and more than 50 new buildings designed by more than 30 architects.

King’s Cross was masterplanned by Allies and Morrison and Porphyrios Associates with Townshend Landscape Architects. The King’s Cross estate is owned by the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership, which is made up of Argent and AustralianSuper.