KINGS CROSS CENTRAL
One of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects
King’s Cross Central is one of Europe’s most significant urban regeneration projects and a key project in Makower Architects’ past portfolio. Covering 24 hectares in the heart of London, the masterplan was led by Tim Makower while a design partner at Allies and Morrison, working in collaboration with Porphyrios Associates and Townshend Landscape Architects. Developed by Argent, the scheme transformed a complex former rail and industrial landscape, bordered by the Eurostar line and bisected by Regent’s Canal, into a coherent, human-scaled urban quarter.
“The perfect mix of grittiness and shininess, simultaneously a symbol of London’s industrial and engineering
past and the creative present.”
Edwin Heathcote, Financial Times
One of the most important industrial heritage sites in Britain with the best public transport connections in the country but also many constraints: it had become a ‘backland’ with a long history of neglect, surrounded by ‘difficult’ edges: railways and busy roads and with a 12 metres change in level from end to end and the Regent’s Canal running through the middle.
One of the most important industrial heritage sites in Britain with the best public transport connections in the country but also many constraints: it had become a ‘backland’ with a long history of neglect, surrounded by ‘difficult’ edges: railways and busy roads and with a 12 metres change in level from end to end and the Regent’s Canal running through the middle.
Setting a global benchmark for heritage-led place making, the masterplan framework grew out of three years of analysis and consultation which became a published vision book entitled, Principles for a Human City. It found a successful balance between fixity and flexibility - enabling evolution and opportunities to be capitalised upon whilst maintaining a consistent character. A network of public open spaces – streets, lanes, squares and parks – permeate the urban blocks and make connections beyond the site.
Early masterplan sketch showing block structure and connections
The masterplan focused on the spaces between buildings, completing these first to create new connections, diverse places that invited people of every kind in, gave them somewhere to dwell and experience the place.
Location:
King's Cross, London
Use:
Mixed-use, public realm, leisure, retail, transport hub
Status:
Completed
Size:
24 ha
Client:
Argent
Project Date:
2000-2008
Collaborators:
Allies and Morrison, Porphyrios Associates, Townshend Landscape Architects
Awards:
RIBA Stirling People’s Choice Award 2024, RIBA Stirling Prize Shortlisted 2024
