The new Kings Cross Square is designed to create a new public space for the major transport interchange and will bring King’s Cross Station’s Grade-II listed façade back into public view.
The London King’s Cross is a central London railway terminus opened in 1852. In June 2008, Camden Council and land owner Network Rail sought expressions of interest from architects, landscape architects and urban designers for the design of a brand new urban square at Kings Cross, London.
The new square spanning 7000 square meters will be located directly in front of the historic Grade 1 listed façade to Kings Cross. In January 2009, six leading teams of architects had been short-listed to develop their ideas for a brand new public square for London at King’s Cross station.
Stanton Williams won the design competition, which will create one of the largest public squares in London. The square is designed to handle up to 100,000 commuters, visitors and residents every day. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.
The public square scheme will complete Network Rail’s GBP500 million ($767.7 million approx) redevelopment of the station site. Additionally Network Rail is also investing GBP1 million ($1.53 million approx) in association with Camden Council on improvements to the local area.
The competition, promoted by Network Rail and the London Borough of Camden, was run in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions Office with John McAslan + Partners as Network Rail’s technical adviser.
